"But, it turns out, Livingston, who now runs the Livingston Group lobbying firm, was on the floor in violation of an ethics rule, passed by the Republican House in 2006 in the wake of the scandal over lobbyist Jack Abramoff, that denies lawmakers-turned-lobbyists their lifetime floor (and gym) privileges, except on select ceremonial occasions.
'I was under the impression that opening day and the State of the Union were days when I, as a lobbyist, could indeed go on the floor,' Livingston said. 'When I was informed that I was mistaken, I left.'"
Not sure who the House can punish for this violation.
