Former Rep. Andrews registers as lobbyist

Former Rep. Robert Andrews (R-N.J.), who resigned from Congress in February, has registered as a lobbyist.

The former congressman filed paperwork last Thursday to lobby on behalf of two clients: M.E.R.I.T Inc., a New Jersey security and technology company, and the National Coordinating Committee for Multi-Employer Plans.

{mosads}Andrews took a job at Dilworth Paxson after leaving Congress, handling government affairs for the Philadelphia law firm. At the time, he said he was unsure if he would register as a lobbyist. 

The former congressman resigned amid an investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations that he improperly used campaign funds for personal trips, among other things.

He said his departure from Congress had nothing to do with the ethics investigation, but was motivated by the desire to provide his family with a better life. 

“My decision is, however, most emphatically not a political decision about what is happening in Washington — it is a personal decision about the best path for my family,” Andrews said at the time of his resignation.

Former House members are restricted from directly lobbying their former colleagues for a one-year cooling off period after leaving Congress. Andrews can lobby the Obama administration, however.