DNC rolls back Obama ban on contributions from federal lobbyists

WASHINGTON - The Democratic National Committee has rolled back restrictions introduced by presidential candidate Barack Obama in 2008 that banned donations from federal lobbyists and political action committees.

The decision, which may provide an advantage to Hillary Clinton's candidacy, was viewed with disappointment Friday morning by good-government activists who saw it as a step backward in the effort to limit special-interest influence in Washington.

"It is a major step in the wrong direction," said longtime reform advocate Fred Wertheimer. "And it is completely out of touch with the clear public rejection of the role of political money in Washington," expressed during the 2016 campaign.

The change in the rules, already apparent to leading Washington lobbyists, was quietly introduced at some point during the last few months.

The ban was both a symbolic and substantive way for Obama to put his stamp on the party in 2008 when he promised voters "we are going to change how Washington works."

Since it was introduced, lobbyists and corporate advocates in Washington have complained about the ban and other limitations imposed by Obama. The only portion of the old rules now remaining in place is that lobbyists and PAC representatives will still not be able to attend events that feature Obama, Vice President Biden or their spouses, according to Mark Paustenbach, deputy communications director for the DNC.

"The DNC's recent change in guidelines will ensure that we continue to have the resources and infrastructure in place to best support whoever emerges as our eventual nominee," Paustenbach said in an email. "Electing a Democrat to the White House is vital to building on the progress we've made over the last seven years, which has resulted in a record 71 straight months of private-sector job growth and nearly 14 million new jobs."

Last summer the DNC announced it was lifting a ban on lobbyist contributions to convention-related expenses. At the time, DNC officials said the move was necessary because Congress had eliminated about $20 million in federal funding for the party gatherings.

The DNC's recent reversal of the previous ban on donations from lobbyists and political action committees was confirmed by three Democratic lobbyists who said they have already received solicitations from the committee. The lobbyists requested anonymity to speak about the committee's decision, which has been otherwise kept quiet.

For the most part, they said, the DNC is back to pre-2008 business as usual. The DNC has even hired a finance director specifically for PAC donations who has recently emailed prospective donors to let them know that they can now contribute again, according to an email that was reviewed by the Washington Post.

The decision is the latest move likely to inflame tensions between the DNC and supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who has railed against lobbyist influence.