HUD to rental policy groups: Sign agreement, stay quiet
Obama administration officials told a group of housing proponents this month that they must sign a confidentiality agreement to continue participating in talks a highly unusual request that has drawn criticism from a top Republican lawmaker who is investigating the matter.
The agreement, obtained by POLITICO, bars participants from disclosing details discussed at meetings of a rental policy working group, but it has angered some lobbyists and drawn congressional scrutiny.
How can they go around and pat themselves on the back as the most transparent administration in history and then turn around and ask lobbyists to sign nondisclosure agreements to keep their meetings secret, said a lobbyist whose organization was at the Feb. 4 meeting. Its like extortion. Were not going to be able to do our jobs unless we have secret meetings with them.
Posted by: Beavis 2011-02-17 |