Nearly 100 former aides to members of the new budget-cutting "supercommittee" now work as K Street lobbyists, often representing clients with a vested interest in the panel's decisions. A half dozen former lobbyists are also currently employed by the lawmakers. The connections mean that many lobbyists are now trying to convince their former employers to go easy on their corporate clients.
On Thursday, the Senate failed to vote on the passage of a bill that would have resulted, in part, in a ban on the use of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups. According to the Wall Street Journal, on Wednesday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.), facing major opposition from the chemical industry, withdrew the amendment to ban BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups from consideration.
