Many on K Street were critical of the White House's decision this week to keep federally registered lobbyists off federal government advisory boards and committees.

One was Doug Pinkham, president of the Public Affairs Council.

"It makes no sense to stifle discussion about important issues like trade by keeping experts out of the conversation," Pinkham told reporters for the National Journal's blog, "Under the Influence." "Eisen's statement shows no respect for professionals who work for companies, unions and non-profits and happen to devote part of their time to advocacy."

Pinkham told The Hill that the White House position was "absurd," and that the Obama administration does not understand how private-sector expertise can help the federal government.

"The administration's efforts to punish citizens for following the law and registering as lobbyists is bound to have unintended consequences," Pinkham told The Hill. "One of them will be that people working at companies, unions and nonprofits will try to de-list themselves if they don't reach the time threshold for registration. And that will reduce transparency in the public policy process."

Norm Eisen, special counsel to the president for ethics and government reform, wrote on the White House blog Wednesday afternoon that "appointees to boards and commissions, which are made by agencies and not the president, advise the federal government on a variety of policy areas. Keeping these advisory boards free of individuals who currently are registered federal lobbyists represents a dramatic change in the way business is done in Washington."

Eisen also wrote that federally registered lobbyists who now serve on agency boards and committees may continue to serve, but that "agencies should not reappoint anyone who is currently registered as a federal lobbyist at the time of their potential reappointment."

Read the National Journal blog here, The Hill story here, Eisen's blog here and Pinkham's blog on the issue here.