Ex-lawmakers find jobs at firms seeking to shape policy

WASHINGTON  The tough job market doesn't seem to be hurting many former members of Congress. Less than three months after leaving Capitol Hill, a dozen have found work so far with groups that seek to influence their former colleagues, despite rules that impose restrictions on lobbying once they leave office.

Former House members can't lobby federal lawmakers for one year after serving in Congress; senators have a two-year "cooling off" period. However, they can work for lobbying firms, trade associations and consulting groups to provide behind-the-scenes advice to clients on the ways of Washington.

"I'm like the puppeteer," said Charles Melancon, a former Louisiana congressman who started work this month as senior vice president of government relations for the International Franchise Association. "I sit down with the staff I have and the consultants, and we discuss where we need to go, who we need to see, what the issues are. Then, they will go to the Hill," said Melancon, a Democrat who left Congress last month after an unsuccessful U.S. Senate bid.

Others at firms that work to influence government policy include former Utah senator Robert Bennett, a Republican who is a senior policy adviser at the law and lobbying firm Arent Fox; and former Democratic congressman Michael Arcuri, who has joined a New York law firm.

Overall, about 350 ex-lawmakers dating to the 1960s have worked for lobbying firms and other groups that seek to shape policy, according to data from the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. "It's the way of Washington," the center's David Levinthal said. "You have lawmakers doing what's supposed to be in the public interest one moment, and they stop on a dime and represent special interests the next moment."

List of names Lawmakers who recently left Congress and have joined law and lobbying firms, associations and other groups that try to influence government policy include:

Name Office New employer Michael Arcuri Rep., D-N.Y. Hancock Estabrook Evan Bayh Sen., D-Ind. Apollo Global Management; McGuireWoods Robert Bennett Sen., R-Utah Arent Fox; Bennett Consulting Group Christopher "Kit" Bond Sen., R-Mo. Thompson Coburn Charles Djou Rep., R-Hawaii The Majority Group Byron Dorgan Sen., D-N.D. Arent Fox Peter Hoekstra Rep., R-Mich. Dickstein Shapiro Charles Melancon Rep., D-La. International Franchise Association Walt Minnick Rep., D-Idaho The Majority Group Earl Pomeroy Rep., D-N.D. Alston & Bird John Tanner Rep., D-Tenn. Prime Policy Group Zach Wamp Rep., R-Tenn. Zach Wamp Consulting Sources: USA TODAY research, Center for Responsive Politics

Bennett, who lost his bid for a third term last year, said there's nothing wrong with lobbying. "I not only have no objection to lobbying," he said, "I recognize it as a fundamental American right."

Bennett, 77, also has formed a consulting firm, teaches at the University of Utah and is at work on a book. He said he is unlikely to register as a lobbyist once the two-year ban expires because "it's very time-consuming. I find there are younger people who are very vigorous in doing it."

He's not the only ex-lawmaker wearing many hats. After retiring from the Senate last month, Indiana Democrat Evan Bayh quickly acquired two jobs: He's a senior adviser with Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm; and a partner at McGuireWoods, a law and lobbying firm. Bayh provides "strategic" advice to clients "impacted by the actions of Congress, the executive branch, or by governors and legislators across the country," according to McGuireWoods' website.

Bayh declined to comment.

Arcuri joined the Syracuse-based law firm of Hancock Estabrook, where his work will include litigation and government affairs. He said he's not planning to register as a federal lobbyist, but "I have a lot of experience in working with government, so I certainly hope to get involved with governments and helping out any way I can, as long as it doesn't involve lobbying the federal government."

Melancon said he will become a lobbyist when his cooling-off period ends. Until then, he said, he won't contact his ex-colleagues.

"I won't talk to them. I won't go to their fundraisers. I won't give them phone calls," he said. "I'm going to live by the rules."