Revolving Door

As the 99% Movement Evolves, It's Time to Go All In on Money Out

David DeGraw | Posted 05.30.2012

David DeGraw

As I type, thousands of working groups are spread throughout the country organizing toward the same goal: ending the corrupt culture that has consumed our government by getting money out of politics. It's time to Occupy Democracy.

Jason Linkins

Former Legislators Can Get Staggeringly Rich Peddling Influence, In Case You'd Somehow Forgotten This

HuffingtonPost.com | Jason Linkins | Posted 03.15.2012

If the example of Senator Olympia Snowe is any guide, then the typical "Why I Am Leaving Congress" op-ed is fairly similar to Greg Smith's now-famous ...

How Many House Staffers Went on to Lobby for Top Government Contractors?

Project On Government Oversight | Posted 05.07.2012

Project On Government Oversight

POGO has long been concerned about the revolving door phenomenon, and Sunlight's analysis sheds light on its continued prevalence on the Hill.

Why Stanford's Pyramid Scheme Is a Problem for You Too

Jack Ucciferri | Posted 05.07.2012

Jack Ucciferri

The story here isn't Stanford. The story is the SEC. Why should individual investors trust they are getting due protection when evidence of regulator corruption is all around them?

Almost 400 Former House Staffers Registered to Lobby in Last Two Years

The Sunlight Foundation | Posted 04.24.2012

The Sunlight Foundation

In many respects, Congress continues to operate as a farm team for future lobbyists. Staff build up contacts and policy and political expertise. Then they often go "downtown" and cash in, taking their expertise and networks with them.

Former Treasury Counselor Could Move To Goldman Sachs

The Huffington Post | Alexander Eichler | Posted 02.01.2012

The revolving door between Wall Street and Washington is about to turn once more. Richard Siewart, onetime counselor to Treasury Secretary Timothy...

Paul Blumenthal

Perry Supporters Start New Secret Money Group

HuffingtonPost.com | Paul Blumenthal | Posted 11.28.2011

WASHINGTON -- Supporters of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's presidential bid have organized a non-profit under the 501(c)(4) section of the tax code to aid hi...

Zach Carter

Bill Daley Brings Big Pharma History To Trade Policy

HuffingtonPost.com | Zach Carter | Posted 11.28.2011

This piece is a continuation of The Huffington Post's collaboration on trade issues with The Dylan Ratigan Show, called Trading Our Future. WASHING...

Jason Linkins

Lobbyist/Lawmaker Revolving Door Still Spinning With Same Constancy As Planet Earth

HuffingtonPost.com | Jason Linkins | Posted 11.13.2011

Ever get the feeling that your interests are just outnumbered and outgunned in Washington, such as we'll likely see in the upcoming super committee deliberations? Well, there's good reason to feel that way, as so many lobbyists funnel into Congressional staff positions, and vice versa. These same individuals would have you believe that Washington is a hyper-functional place, just purring along, success after success, riding high on the collective body of "experience" that's on hand as a result of the Capitol Hill-to-K Street-and-back again cycle. And yet, Congressional job approval is at a meager 15 percent, for some reason.

Paul Blumenthal

Rick Perry's K Street Project

HuffingtonPost.com | Paul Blumenthal | Posted 10.17.2011

WASHINGTON -- In his 2010 book "Fed Up!" Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry explained his displeasure with what he called the spending culture in Washin...

Paul Blumenthal

Former Lobbyists Could Staff 'Super Congress'

HuffingtonPost.com | Paul Blumenthal | Posted 10.11.2011

WASHINGTON -- With congressional leaders having finalized their selection of the 12-member, bicameral panel designed to pinpoint $1.5 trillion in defi...

Dan Froomkin

Congress Increasingly Staffed By Former Lobbyists

HuffingtonPost.com | Dan Froomkin | Posted 09.11.2011

The number of former lobbyists working as key congressional staffers has more than doubled since the Republican Party took control of the House, a new...

Rahm Talks Ethics Reform, Limits Lobbyist Gifts To $50

Posted 09.04.2011

In a move intended to "rein in the influence of lobbyists and ensure everyone in City government is working for Chicago’s taxpayers," Chicago Mayor ...

Jason Linkins

Lobbyists Take Pay Cuts To Return To Capitol Hill, Probably Because They Love Their Country Sooooooo Much!

HuffingtonPost.com | Jason Linkins | Posted 08.28.2011

I know this is going to come as a shock to you, but apparently, there exists a "revolving door" between Capitol Hill lawmakers and the lobbyists that tell those lawmakers how to write their laws. In recent months, many former lobbyists have returned to haunt the halls of power in person. And they often take pay cuts to do so. These people must really love their country, right?

With Obama's "Dinner Date," Wall Street's Elite Wins... Again

Linda Keenan | Posted 08.15.2011

Linda Keenan

The news that President Obama will wine and dine with top Wall Street CEOs is just the latest example of how the "wizards" of Wall Street and their Washington allies continue to win -- their clout seemingly undiminished -- in the face of spectacular failure.

Dan Froomkin

The Link Between Lobbyists And The Financial Crisis

HuffingtonPost.com | Dan Froomkin | Posted 08.13.2011

Two economists at the International Monetary Fund crunched the numbers and determined lobbying by lenders and other U.S. financial interests encourage...

FCC Commissioner's Comcast Dash Triggers Wave of Disgust

Timothy Karr | Posted 07.14.2011

Timothy Karr

Baker's move may become the tipping point for new rules to stop Washington's revolving door from tempting any bureaucrat to exchange a light regulatory hand for the promise of a high-salaried job.

'SEC's Revolving Door Seems To Be More Active Than Ever"

Posted 07.13.2011

WASHINGTON (Tim Reid) - At least 219 former officials at the Securities and Exchange Commission have left since 2006 to help clients with business...

One More Washington Regulator Cashes in at Your Expense

Timothy Karr | Posted 07.11.2011

Timothy Karr

The head of the company that makes more political contributions than any other has graced our capital with his presence. It's little wonder that people are so nauseated by business as usual in Washington.

BofA Hires Former Top SEC Official

Posted 06.16.2011

NEW YORK: Bank of America said it has hired Gary Lynch, a former director of enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, to head i...

Current and Former Officials Intervene on Billionaire's Behalf in Battle With Peru

The Sunlight Foundation | Posted 05.25.2011

The Sunlight Foundation

Facing a battle with the Peruvian government over a smelting operation that has caused severe environmental damage, the Renco Group and its owner have assembled a formidable lobbying team.

Zach Carter

Selling Out Small Business

HuffingtonPost.com | Zach Carter | Posted 05.25.2011

Throughout Wednesday's House floor debate over the repeal of President Barack Obama's signature health care overhaul, Republicans frequently claimed t...

Jason Linkins

Peter Orszag's Move From The White House To Citigroup Should Definitely Trouble You

HuffingtonPost.com | Jason Linkins | Posted 05.25.2011

Orszag brings a lot of government connections to the table at Citigroup. It's stuff that Citigroup totally wants, and Citi has already come to realize some of the value of what Orszag has in his pocket.

Judges Without Gavels: The Life Sentence of Economic Hardship Imposed on Individuals Who Have Been Incarcerated

Todd Belcore | Posted 05.25.2011

Todd Belcore

Even after an individual has paid their debt to society, society, without the authority granted by a gavel, functionally imposes a life sentence of economic hardship on those who have been incarcerated.

Indiana and Duke Energy Officials Bantered While Ratepayers Picked Up the Tab

Carol Polsgrove | Posted 05.25.2011

Carol Polsgrove

You'd think the second highest paid executive at an energy company would know better than to chatter with the chairman of a regulatory commission in emails that might end up in the hands of a journalist.