Revolving Door

Although the influence powerhouses that line Washington's K Street are just a few miles from the U.S. Capitol building, the most direct path between the two doesn't necessarily involve public transportation. Instead, it's through a door—a revolving door that shuffles former federal employees into jobs as lobbyists, consultants and strategists just as the door pulls former hired guns into government careers.

While officials in the executive branch, Congress and senior congressional staffers spin in and out of the private and public sectors, so too does privilege, power, access and, of course, money.

Use the search options to discover which public relations firms have signed up former White House employees, which lobbyists have brought their interests with them to the powerful appropriations committees, which interests are employing former members of Congress to lobby on their behalf...and much more.

Featured Revolver

Ronald Klain
White House "Ebola czar"

Ronald Klain has been appointed by President Obama as the 'Ebola czar' to coordinate administration policy in response to the appearance of the disease in the U.S. This isn't Klain's first role in government, nor is Obama's the first administration for which he's worked. Previously, he was counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee for four years and chief of staff for former Attorney General Janet Reno, Vice President Al Gore and, most recently, Vice President Biden.

He has also spent time in the private sector as executive vice president at Revolution LLC, a venture capital firm, and as president of Case Holdings, the company that manages AOL Chairman Steve Case's charitable and business interests.

During his time as a partner at O'Melveny & Myers, Klain was general counsel to Gore's recount committee in the aftermath of the 2000 election. He has lobbied for a variety of companies, among them Time Warner, Fannie Mae, and US Airways.

Show More Information About Our Featured Revolver

  • Top Staffers

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    • Latest additions to the Revolving Door database

    NameEmployer
    Mendez, JohnLatham & Watkins
    McFerran, LaurenHealth, Education, Labor & Pensions
    Elliott III, DanielSurface Transportation Board
    Weiss, AntonioLazard Ltd
    Shank, MichaelClimate Nexus

    Revolving Door Factoid

    There are 18 state or federal attorneys general in the OpenSecrets Revolving Door.