Sen. Tester joins Sen. Bennet in sponsoring the Close the Revolving Door Act. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) announced this week that he would join Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in his bill attempting to bar former Members of Congress from ever lobbying after their Congressional tenure. Sen. Tester’s press release is here.
Stayin’ fit and on top of their game: GR folks flock to the “Lobbyist Whisperer.” Roll Call profiles Janet Zalman, a DC personal trainer popular with lobbyists. (Roll Call subscription required).
Mixed reactions to DISCLOSE Act. Last week’s disclosure (pun intended) of the campaign finance “Citizens United legislative fix” bill, the DISCLOSE Act, elicited mixed reactions. A few opposing views: The Center on Competitive Politics views the legislation as limiting to the First Amendment right of free speech. The White House released a statement from President Obama stating that he not only supports the legislation as necessary, but will help stump for its quick passage. A great collection of reactions to the bill is over at the Blog of Legal Times.
Abramoff figure back in town. Neil Volz, who fell from grace along with Jack Abramoff in 2005, was back in DC to discuss a new documentary on Abramoff’s career, Casino Jack & The United States of Money. The Washington Post profiles Mr. Volz’s new outlook on life post-Abramoff. (Washington Post free registration required).