Back in January, the new Congress passed revamped ethics rules theoretically intended in part to minimize the influence of lobbyists on lawmakers and their staff. How our elected representatives hate lobbyists, with their wee beady eyes and those smug looks on their faces. "Oh, you're gonna vote for ethanol subsidies, oh!" How can they hate lobbyists? The lobbyists put addictive chemicals -- money, swag, and trips -- in their dealings with lawmakers that make them crave lobbyist contact fortnightly, smartass. Without the new ethics rules in place, our lawmakers are completely unable to determine right from wrong on their own -- powerless to resist the lavish meals and international excursions thrown at them in tacit exchange for their votes.

Among the new ethics regulations is the so-called "toothpick rule." As the Wall Street Journal described it:

To cut down on wining and dining by lobbyists, the House and Senate have drafted new rules that bar lawmakers and congressional aides from accepting almost any meals from lobbyists. Hors d'oeuvres are an exception. So is "food that you have to eat standing up using a toothpick," explains Washington lawyer Brett Kappel, who advises lobbyists and companies about ethics rules. Oyster pasta, the seafood lobbyists decided, would be difficult to eat with toothpicks."

In? Oysters, blinis with smoked salmon and crème fraîche, risotto balls, bagels and muffins. Out? Steak dinners, linguine with white clam sauce, and the tasting menu at CityZen.

Now comes word from the New York Times that Capitol Hill lawmakers have already exploited loopholes in the rules. Shocking, we know. Seems that the rules don't prohibit lobbyists from wooing lawmakers by ponying up to participate in social-oriented political fundraisers sponsored by the lawmakers. Steak dinners are back! End scene.

While some folks are figuring out how to skirt the spirit of the rules, at least one is helping lawmakers and lobbyists to abide by them. Just Fresh -- the downtown lunch chain on which we've lavished praise in the past -- has cutely devised a "House Ethics 'Toothpick Rule'-Compliant Menu." The menu options aren't tremendously exciting (we're talking muffins, "quesadilla bites" and the like), but we like the thought behind it. Indeed, according to Just Fresh DC President Sean Clancy, the menu "may not be a panacea to the sweeping House ethics reforms (sorry, we can't get you a free martini or on a G5), but it will help both lobbyists and members/staffers continue to have civilized meetings, briefings and casual receptions with food and drink of 'nominal value.'"

Caterers and restaurants, this is one instance in which claiming that your food is of "nominal value" might actually land you some business.

Photo by flickr user C R.