Lobbyists' campaign contributions are the real issue

American League of Lobbyists President Howard Marlowe writes on the Congress Blog today that the president and Congress should stop scapegoating lobbyists. “It is high time we break our code of silence and show our true determination to solve the critical problems that are tying the federal government in knots,” he says.

Sure, lobbyists get a lot of blame for myriad bad things that happen in Washington. In fact, we’ve done our fair share of lobbyist bashing over time (including Mr. Marlowe). And Marlowe hits the reason for our criticism right on the head when he states, “Money is at the heart of the public's concerns about both lobbyists and members of Congress.”

Lobbying itself is not the issue. It’s the influence and access these lobbyists are able to buy with their campaign contributions. It’s access and influence that everyday people can only dream of. Behind every dollar of lobbying fees is a network of potential campaign contributors. Already in 2011, lobbyists have donated more than $3.2 million to federal candidates and their clients have contributed even more. Moreover, the lobbying done on the side of big companies concerned about their bottom line more often than not significantly outweighs consumer advocates and other nonprofit groups.

A member of Congress should be making decisions on whether they should vote or cosponsor a bill based on whether it’s the right thing to do, not whether it’ll harm or benefit their bank account. Lobbyists can hold as many meetings as they want with members of Congress, but their campaign money shouldn’t influence how they vote.

Marlowe ends his op-ed by stating, “Either we act now or we risk another big scandal that will trigger a new round of 'reforms' and public vilification. You are dead wrong if you think it can’t get any worse for our profession.”

If he’s truly concerned about rehabilitating the image of lobbying — and the public perception of our broken Congress — then Marlowe and his colleagues should endorse legislation like the Fair Elections Now Act.

Sponsored in the House by Reps. John Larson (D-Conn.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), and Walter Jones (R-N.C.), the Fair Elections Now Act would sever the ties between members of Congress and big campaign contributors—be they lobbyists or the clients they represent. With Fair Elections, members of Congress wouldn’t have to grovel to lobbyists, and lobbyists could spend that cash on something else.

With Fair Elections, candidates can run competitive campaigns for office by relying on a blend of small dollar donations, and matching system that would amplify the voice of these small donors. Congress needs lobbyists, but America needs politicians that are beholden to the people that elected them, not the K Street denizens that fill their campaign bank accounts.

Nick Nyhart is the president and CEO of Public Campaign.