Crying Fowler: Top Drafter of ObamaCare Returns From Whence She Came
jonathanturley
We have previously discussed the obscene relationship between industry and Congress with staffers and members pushing through key legislation and then being given lucrative positions by industry. The pharmaceutical and telecommunication industries are particularly notoriously for such revolving door arrangements. Other members lobby for these industries after leaving office and current officeholders like President Obama have accepted money from lobbyists (despite his pledge not to). Now the top staffer to Democratic Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Max Baucus, who drafted Obamacare has reportedly accepted a prime position with Johnson & Johnson’s government affairs and policy group. Her name is Elizabeth Fowler and demonstrates that the Democrats are little better in this revolving door practice. Indeed, the ever revolving Fowler is an amazing example of how industry controls not just the drafting but much of the legislation in Congress.
As Glenn Greenwald reported, before joining Baucus’ office, Fowler was the Vice President for Public Policy and External Affairs at WellPoint, the nation’s largest health insurance provider. Before the stint at WellPoint, you guessed it, she worked as Baucus’ health care aide. So Fowler has not just used the revolving door, she has gone around and around. This did not appear to bother Baucus or the Democrats.
Despite decades of complaints about the revolving door, Fowler (shown below watching over her boss) is an example of how Congress has made sure that the practice would continue despite periodic protestations to the contrary.
