Obama Joins Schumer and McCaskill to Introduce Bill to Close Foreign Lobbying Loopholes
Thursday, June 12, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michael Ortiz, 202 228 5566
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today joined with Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) to introduce the Closing the Foreign Lobbying Loophole Act, which would close loopholes that allow American lobbyists, representing foreign clients, to lobby U.S. government officials without disclosing these activities. Obama is an original cosponsor of the bill.
"It is unacceptable that lobbyists can exploit a loophole to hide their lobbying contacts on behalf of foreign businesses and governments. The American people have a right to know who these individuals are representing and which American officials they're lobbying. Abusing the law to hide access and special treatment is exactly the kind of Washington culture that working Americans are tired of and the culture that I've been fighting against. I am proud to stand with Senators Schumer and McCaskill to fight for greater transparency and accountability," said Senator Obama.