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Thurber on Reforming America's Lobby Habit

Congressional reform of the lobbying system is nettled by competing agendas and concerns over freedom of speech.

But in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal, in which Indian tribes were directed to contribute campaign funds to lawmakers, the discussion has only become more heated. James Thurber is an expert in campaign conduct and lobbying who has testified before Congress.

The title of Thurber's speech was "Indian Tribes and the Federal Election Campaign Act". A political scientist, Thurber is the director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University, where he also serves as a professor.

Copyright 2022 Fresh Air. To see more, visit Fresh Air.

Terry Gross is the host and executive producer of NPR's Fresh Air.

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Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.