Room 347 -- Political Wire

Room 347

Roll Call has found what is perhaps the most exclusive lobbyist meeting in Washington. For the past three years, six top lobbyists have met "nearly every Thursday morning with the Senate's top Republican aides in Room 347 of the Russell Office Building."

Participants include:

Dirk Van Dongen of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
Bruce Josten of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Dan Danner of the National Federation of Independent Business
Lee Culpepper of the National Restaurant Association
Mike Baroody of the National Association of Manufacturers
John Castellani of the Business Roundtable.

The Thursday Group was initially formed in 1994 and was critical in drafting the "Contract with America." But it disbanded once the Republicans consolidated their control on Capitol Hill. The group was reformed in 2001 when Sen. Jim Jeffords left the GOP to become an Independent. Since then, "the meeting has never been publicized" and participants have refused to comment.

June 10, 2004

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Taegan D. Goddard is the creator of Political Wire, a political column updated around the clock with the most interesting news, buzz and commentary.

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