![]() "It is a rampant problem here on Capitol Hill." "The 'revolving door' is one of the most pernicious influence-peddling tools available to wealthy special interests and corporations, especially," said Craig Holman, a government ethics lobbyist at the liberal watchdog group Public Citizen. They call it the "revolving door," referring to the continuous movement of high-level officials from public-sector jobs to private-sector jobs and vice versa. The ethics experts said that "loophole" is a symptom of weak regulations governing when the country’s most pivotal and influential officials can lobby in Washington. He is, however, permitted to engage the Executive Branch. ![]() Lobbying regulations mean the former congressman is legally barred from lobbying Congress for a one-year "cooling-off" period. Vela, 59, and two other lobbyists can advocate for bills relating to the environment, energy, maritime and fishing and economic development and will focus on the port’s transportation and infrastructure initiatives, according to lobbyist registration paperwork filed last month by the firm.Įthics experts who spoke with the Caller-Times said Vela's shift from holding elected office to lobbying was not illegal unless he lobbied the House or Senate members. The Brownsville Democrat represented the 34th Congressional District of Texas for nine years before resigning in March, opting not to finish his fourth term and to take a job at Akin Gump, a prominent lobbying firm in Washington. Rep. Filemon Vela, who gave up his congressional seat earlier this year, to push the port's legislative agenda on Capitol Hill. The Port of Corpus Christi Authority hired a lobbying firm that employs former U.S. Bush. Bush will continue serving as Texas Land Commissioner until early next year. Congressman Filemon Vela participates in a joint press conference announcing Vela's appointment to the Armed Service Committee on Friday, February 1, 2019, at the Nueces County Courthouse.Įditor's note: This article was edited after publication to clarify the current position of George P. While Vela ultimately did not end up in the Biden administration, his wife, Rose Vela, works in the Biden administration as director of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.U.S. Vela is a close ally of President Joe Biden and was in talks for a Biden administration position. ![]() However, Trump performed better than expected with Hispanic voters in the Rio Grande Valley, making districts including Vela’s and a handful of others in the region key pickup targets for Republicans. Vela represents a district near the US-Mexico border and won his district by 55% in November. Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona’s announcement earlier this month that she will not seek reelection next year. With his statement Monday, Vela becomes the first Texas Democrat to announce his departure from the House ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. Vela is also vice chairman at the Democratic National Committee. Vela added, “It is now time to allow other residents of South Texas the opportunity to fulfill this wonderful privilege for which I will be forever grateful.” “I will not be seeking reelection to the House of Representatives in 2022.” ![]() “It has been an honor to represent the citizens of the 34th District of Texas in the United States House of Representatives for the last eight years,” Vela told CNN in a statement. Filemon Vela of Texas, who is serving his fifth term in Congress, confirmed to CNN Monday he will not run for reelection for his House seat in 2022. ![]()
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