Government Regulators Travel Comped by Industry Groups

The current and former head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (both under the Bush administration) have accepted money for trips from groups in industries ranging from the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory to the Toy Industry Association. These associations are lobbying groups that represent corporations within specific industries. The Commission head under Clinton only accepted travel money when announcing product recalls.

A portion of the Washington Post article sums it up nicely,

"Some say the commission's approach to gift travel points to a Bush administration philosophy that favors engaging corporations in policymaking that affects them. 'This administration apparently has taken the position that speaking and appearing before the regulated community, even where there are enforcement matters pending, does not create the appearance of a conflict,' said Kenneth Gross, an ethics lawyer at Skadden, Arps."