The Hill Quotes Brian Pomper on “New Normal” for K Street
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Akin Gump public law and policy practice co-head Brian Pomper has been quoted by The Hill in the article “Veteran lobbyists flex muscles in K Street’s new normal,” which discusses the obstacles lobbyists are facing as they work from home and try to secure COVID-19-related government assistance for clients.
During the pandemic, the article says, lobbyists have been competing for the attention of just a handful of state and federal officials who are making key decisions on policy and spending. Many of those officials, though, are not able to meet with lobbyists in person, The Hill notes—something they might have done prior to the coronavirus outbreak.
It is too early to tell if traditional lobbying will be permanently altered by COVID-19, but Washington fundraising is one activity lawmakers have not put on hold, said Pomper.
“Members are being pretty creative with the kinds of fundraisers they can do. But politicians, staffers and lobbyists thrive on interpersonal interaction, and when we are able to see each other in-person again I expect it to return,” Pomper added.