Gilbert Gutknecht: “As far as we know, Mr. Chairman, there has never been enforcement under this law. As a matter of fact, in testimony…”

“As far as we know, Mr. Chairman, there has never been enforcement under this law. As a matter of fact, in testimony before our subcommittee, we heard of examples of groups receiving as much as 96 percent of their money from the Federal Government in various grants. And what do they do with most of that money? They turn right around, come back here, and lobby for more. This is pernicious, Mr. Chairman. It needs to stop. As a matter of fact, our estimates are, it could be as little as $200 million. It could be into the billions of dollars. All this little amendment does is require disclosure. This is a sunshine amendment. Members have probably heard this said before, that the single most important antiseptic sometimes is just a little sunshine. Only those who have something to hide fear sunshine. This is a good amendment. It ought to have unanimous support. We ought to find out exactly how much taxpayer money is flowing through some of these special interest groups and being used to lobby for more taxpayer money.”