Feds Face Tougher Rules

Some feds could be facing tougher rules when it comes to interacting with lobbyists. The Office of Government Ethics wants to get rid of exceptions that allow political appointees to attend events or accept gifts of less than $50 a year from lobbyists. A proposed rule in the Federal Register would expand a 2009 executive order. It stops appointees from using exceptions to accept gifts of less than $20 at one time or $50 a year. It also bans them from going to widely attended gatherings or accepting the social invitations of lobbying groups. OGE is accepting comments through Nov. 14.