The purpose of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 is to prevent lobbyists from securing undue influence by taking members of Congress to intimate dinners at fancy restaurants.

But, according to the New York Times, “former Senator John B. Breaux, Democrat of Louisiana, said lobbyists had already come up with a way around the new law. They can make a political contribution to a member of Congress, and then have the member pay for the meal.”

Beginning on Monday, Washington lobbyists must file detailed quarterly reports of their activities. Recently, they have been hiring lawyers and attending seminars to decipher the law passed in response to scandals that involved the lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Lobbyists continue to find creative ways to preserve the access and influence they have with Congress and at federal agencies. For decades, lobbyists have registered with Congress. But they didn’t fear the reporting requirements, since they would understate expenses or misrepresent their activities.

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