Multiple departing members of Congress appear poised to line up cushy lobbying gigs on K Street, according to a new report.
There is a long history of former lawmakers joining top lobbying firms and nonprofit organizations to cash in on their public service. Three current lawmakers may be gearing up to join powerful lobby shops when they leave office, two Democratic lobbyists told Politico on Thursday.
Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), who announced in August 2021 that he would not seek reelection, has reportedly been in conversation with Squire Patton Boggs. The lobbying and law firm pulled in over $1 billion in revenue and worked on behalf of 211 lobbying clients in 2022, according to data compiled by OpenSecrets. Squire Patton Boggs, which formed in 2014 and is one of the 30 largest law firms in the world, has made dozens of high-profile hires through the years. This includes former House Speaker John Boehner, former Sen. John Breaux, former American Conservative Union Chairman Al Cardenas, and also former Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater.
The company that has paid Squire Patton Boggs the most in 2022 is Huawei Technologies, a Chinese military-backed telecommunications firm that the U.S. government may ban from selling new products in the U.S. over national security concerns. Huawei gave Squire Patton Boggs $750,000 in 2022, disclosures show.
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS POCKETED TENS OF THOUSANDS FROM LOBBYISTS LINKED TO CHINA’s HUAWEI
Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), who said she was retiring in April 2021, has reportedly been in conversation with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, another top lobbying and law firm. A spokesperson for the congresswoman told Politico a decision hasn’t been made yet about her future and that she has “had conversations with a wide array of organizations in many different sectors.”
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld reported a revenue of $1 billion in 2022 and nabbed 293 lobbying clients, according to OpenSecrets. The firm disclosed 68 lobbyists in 2022, including three former members of Congress.
Gila River Indian Community, an Arizona American Indian reservation, paid Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld over $2.4 million in 2022 to lobby for issues related to the casino and gambling industry, disclosures show. ZTE Corporation, a Chinese partially state-owned telecommunications firm, has paid the firm over $1 million.
Like Huawei, ZTE may be banned by the U.S. government over possible spying concerns.
Meanwhile, Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), who also is retiring, is joining McGuireWoods, according to the lobbyists who spoke to Politico. In 2022, McGuireWoods was hired by 46 clients to lobby and disclosed 13 lobbyists, according to OpenSecrets.
Former House members are barred from lobbying their prior colleagues for one year, while former senators must stay away for two years, according to federal law. However, former lawmakers can start advising clients whenever, typically in the form of congressional guidance and offering influential contacts.
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There is already one member of the 117th Congress who joined the revolving door. Former Rep. Filemon Vela resigned from Congress in March and joined Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
Offices for Butterfield, Kind, and Bustos did not respond to requests for comment.
