Category: lobbying

Hong Kong Spent $35 Million on Lobbying in the US: Report

The Hong Kong government has been conducting political lobbying efforts in the United States since 2005, and over US$35 million has been spent on lobbying and engaging with American politicians over 1,000 times since 2019, according to a report released by the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC), based in America, on July 5. Ms. Anna Kwok,…


New Federal Code Aims to Restrict Lobbying by Public Office Holders

A new federal code revising the “Lobbyists’ Code Of Conduct” aims to broadly restrict lobbying by public office holders, including individuals who work as unpaid campaign volunteers, according to federal Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger. “The objective of this Code is to foster transparent and ethical lobbying of federal officials,” Bélanger wrote on May 27 in a legal…


Loopholes in Lobbying, Ethics Rules Facilitate Foreign Interference, MPs Hear

Canadian MPs have made formal decisions regarding ethics and lobbying rules that make it easier for foreign interference to occur, an advocacy group told MPs at a parliamentary committee. Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch testified at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs on May 9, as part of its study…


Scott Benton Suspended as Conservative MP After Offering to Lobby for Gambling Firm

Britain’s ruling Conservative Party has suspended Scott Benton MP after he told undercover reporters that he was prepared to work as a paid lobbyist for a gambling company in breach of parliamentary rules. A spokesperson for Tory Chief Whip Simon Hart said on Wednesday evening: “Following his self-referral to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards earlier…


TikTok, ByteDance Poured $13.4 Million Into US Lobbying

With a massive lobbying budget to the tune of over $13 million, TikTok and its Chinese parent company are trying to reassure U.S. lawmakers and officials, as accusations fly that the app poses a major security risk. At the heart of those fears is the Chinese Communist Party getting a hold of American user data,…


TikTok, ByteDance Poured $13.4M Into US Lobbying

A massive lobbying budget. To the tune of over 13 million dollars. TikTok and its Chinese parent company are trying to reassure U.S. lawmakers and officials, as accusations fly that the app poses a major security risk. At the heart of those fears—the Chinese Communist Party getting a hold of American user data. That’s as…


Ethics Committee Approves New Lobbying Rules That Will ‘Legalize Bribery,’ Say Canadian Citizen Groups

Changes are coming to Canada’s lobbying rules, and a coalition of citizen groups says they will “legalize bribery by allowing for favour-trading between lobbyists and politicians.” The House ethics committee has approved a proposed revision of the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct by and large, only making a few recommendations for changes. “It’s shameful that the…


Lobbyist Code Changes Will Allow ‘Corrupt Favour-Trading’ in Ottawa, Say Citizen Groups

The Canadian Commissioner of Lobbying’s job is to ensure lobbyists adhere to a code of ethics—particularly regarding favours they may provide to officials in hopes of influencing policy-making. Commissioner Nancy Bélanger announced in November 2022 she would change the Lobbyist Code of Conduct to make it clearer, and thus more enforceable. Opposition to the changes…


K Street: The Ideal Influence Point for the Chinese Communist Party—With Rex Lee

Powerful K Street lobbyists are being hired by the Chinese Communist Party to do its bidding, lobbying Congress to influence America. The question is: What can we do about it? The challenge is making effective laws to counter the infiltration. But will it work? Joining me is Rex Lee, a cybersecurity expert exposing the deep…


The Left’s Washington Influence Peddling Helps North Korea, Iran, Xi, and Putin

Commentary It’s one thing to get rich lobbying Washington on behalf of powerful interests. It’s another altogether when America’s enemies benefit. Documents released last week revealed that Democrat mega-lobbyist Tony Podesta, brother of longtime bag man for the Clintons John Podesta, pulled in $1 million lobbying the Biden White House on behalf of Huawei, the…