Been there, done that former K Street lobbyist Jack Abramoff has joined the effort for term limits on Congress, claiming it’s the best way to stop the type of political corruption he employed to influence lawmakers.
In a video for U.S. Term Limits, the campaign to impose the limits, Abramoff said, “Lobbyists and special interests have our government in their grips.” He added in the video released Tuesday night, “I’ll tell you one thing that would make a difference: Term limits.”
Abramoff spent three years in jail after his corruption conviction in Washington’s last huge lobbying scandal. He has since become a noted spokesman against Washington political corruption.
“When I was a lobbyist, I hated the idea that a congressman that I had bought with years of contributions would decide to retire. That meant I had to start all over again with a new member, losing all the control I bought with years of checks. One of the best ways to reduce lobbyists and special interest control in Washington is to enact term limits for members,” he said.
U.S. Term limits said, “Abramoff wasn’t paid for his appearance. He is speaking out because he believes, like 75 percent of Americans, that government by career politicians has failed. His message underscores the importance of our Term Limits Convention campaign, which will enact term limits on Congress once 34 state legislatures have called for it.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
