The Democratic leadership on Friday denied there is a concerted effort by the party to influence who lobbies Congress.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., flatly denied the existence of a “K Street Project” that some Republicans say the majority party is employing to negotiate tough legislation and raise money. Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, originated a similar effort in the mid-1990’s, pushing the big lobbying firms to hire only Republicans and give money only to Republican candidates.
Pelosi said nothing like that is happening under her watch, and she even invoked DeLay, her former nemesis.
“There is nothing, we have drained that swamp,” Pelosi said. “It is simply not happening.”
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., added, “Let me just say there is no K Street project, period.”
The response has not altered the view of Republicans who say they see evidence of such a relationship between Democrats and K Street.
