The partisan turmoil gripping Washington will face a seasonal test in the coming weeks, in the form of ugly sweater contests and lobbyist-hosted holiday receptions.
K Street lobbyists and advocacy groups are gearing up for this year’s round of merry-making with Capitol Hill and executive branch denizens. They’re ferrying menus to ethics lawyers for vetting and adding disclaimers on invitations to put federal and congressional types at ease about attending.
“Government officials are generally aware of what the rules are, and nobody wants a controversy over their holiday party,” said Jason Torchinsky, a partner at Holtzman Vogel, specializing in ethics ...