Lobbying on Infrastructure Projects Restricted

President Obama issued a memorandum March 20 that restricts communication between federal lobbyists and Departments and Agencies regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The memorandum states that an Executive Department or agency may not consider the view of lobbyists, meet or talk on the phone regarding “particular projects, applications, or applicants for funding under the Recovery Act” unless such views are in writing. In addition, the Department or Agency must post written comments from lobbyists to its Web site. Lobbyists may communicate orally with a Department or Agency about general Recovery Act issues of they do not extend to particular projects and the Department or Agency reduces the date and time of contact, names of lobbyists and description of communication in writing. View the memorandum here.