Contracted line - holders stand for hours to help their clients get seats . Seats at hearings often only chance for lobbyists to get face time with legislators . Line - holders , some homeless , are paid anywhere from $ 11 to $ 35 an hour . At this hearing , some of his clients that paid for line-standers to wait at midnight were not able to get into the hearing . Critics see practice as another way lobbyists are gaining influence on Capitol Hill .
Contracted line - holders stand for hours to help their clients get seats . Seats at hearings often only chance for lobbyists to get face time with legislators . Line - holders , some homeless , are paid anywhere from $ 11 to $ 35 an hour . Critics see practice as another way lobbyists are gaining influence on Capitol Hill .