Boehner on Lobbying: Nothing To Say

House Republicans pledge to end backroom dealing on Capitol Hill — but their leader won't say if they'll disclose their meetings with lobbyists.

By Andy Kroll and David Corn
Mother Jones
Thu Sep. 30, 2010

With their 48-page "Pledge to America," House GOPers have called for tax cuts for the wealthy and downsizing government—and for repealing President Obama's major initiatives, such as his health care overhaul. The campaign booklet also contains what might perhaps be a more ambitious promise: to reinvent the political culture in Washington and end the business-as-usual wheeling and dealing in the nation's capital. But on Wednesday—the day before he was scheduled to deliver a speech called "Reforming Congress in the People's House"—Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), who will likely become House speaker if the Republicans triumph on November 2, would not say whether the GOP will do anything about lobbyists or lobbying, should he and his comrades gain control of the House.

In the preamble to the "Pledge," Boehner and the Republicans present a fundamental promise: "We pledge to make government more transparent." The document goes on to state,

The most important decisions are made behind closed doors, where a flurry of backroom deals has supplanted the will of the people. It’s time to do away with the old politics: that much is clear.

But what would this mean for lobbyists and the future of lobbying on Capitol Hill? On Wednesday morning, at a House GOP leadership press conference, we asked Boehner if he and the Republicans were to control the House would they disclose their meetings with lobbyists and reveal what is discussed in these behind-closed-door sessions. Boehner replied:

Think about how the House has worked over the last couple of years. There are about five members who decide what the outcome of the bill is going to be, the whole process. Five members. And there are 430 of us who sit on the sidelines. I just think it's time for all members to have a chance to represent their constituents when laws are being created in the US House of Representatives.

(More here.)