Despite Recession, Lobbyists Kick Off Holiday Parties
Lawmakers and Their Staff Invited for Open Bars, Free Food This Holiday Season
Full Season of Holiday Festivities in Washington
The festivities continue well into next week when the Air Transport Association, representing the nation's airlines, will host a party at Lounge 201, just steps away from Senate offices. A spokeswoman for the group told ABCNews.com she could not share details about the event, but that "it's a modest event and complies with ethics rules."
A spokesperson for the National Beer Wholesalers said that the association wasn't having an official holiday party this year. It will, however, host a party Wednesday in honor of the 75th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition. It will be held on the Hill – convenient for staffers – and have beer tasting (although no full bottles) from 33 vendors.
The Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America held a similar celebration Tuesday evening at the National Press Club. Some groups say they have scaled back their party plans this holiday season or zeroed them out. The U.S. Telecom Association, representing AT&T and other broadband service providers, is throwing its annual bash at Bobby Van's steakhouse in downtown Washington. But the free food and open bar will only last for two hours, not three like last year, according to a group spokesman.
Said USTA spokesman Tom Amontree: "I think in the grand scheme of things it's a pretty tame event."
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