In July, Hobby Lobby agreed to pay a $3 million fine and forfeit thousands of ancient clay objects found to have been smuggled into the U.S. from Iraq.
And, more recently, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity paid a lobbying firm to send forged letters to members of Congress from actual nonprofit groups, including the NAACP and the American Association of University Women, espousing fabricated opposition to a 2009 climate change bill.
Samir Sumaidaie, Iraq's ambassador in Washington, rejected Mr. Schumer's criticism, saying that United States aid has never been used to pay its lobbying and law firms here.
They certainly don't want to have to pay for lobbying in 50 states.
Blackwater Worldwide spent just $60,000 in 2007, which it used to pay two lobbying firms -- $40,000 to BCI Group and $20,000 to law firm Womble, Carlyle.
It is worth noting, by the way, that the insurers that have been the most vocal on this issue are the five biggest for-profit insurers, the same ones that reportedly are about to divert $20 million of policyholders' money to pay for a massive new PR, lobbying and political action campaign.
"Only those financiers who enjoy rents can afford to pay for the heavy lobbying," Zingales states.
"Legislators should not be allowed to be paid to lobby on behalf of clients before any public body," said the inspector general, Thomas J. Homer, who plans to introduce the bill within the next two weeks.
We didn't come into the lobby to pay for tickets for major sporting events at this time of year.
So there is still time for lobbying to pay off.The overhaul of the rules should make insurers more resilient.
