PACs Contribute $83K to Super Committee Members
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Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., arrives for a closed-door meeting of the super committee, Oct. 4, 2011, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Harry Hamburg/AP Photo)
Members of the Congressional “super committee” received over $83,000 from lobbying groups in the three weeks after being appointed to make $1.2 trillion in budget cuts.
The 501(c)(3) non-profit Sunlight Foundation reported that 19 political action committees, or PACs, of organizations such as Lockheed Martin, the National Association of Realtors, Pfizer and Chevron gave to 10 committee members.
The super committee, officially called the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, is comprised of six Democrats and six Republicans. It is tasked with approving at least $1.2 trillion in budget cuts as part of the deficit reduction deal passed by Congress in August.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., were the only members who did not receive contributions, according to filings from the Federal Election Commission.
The PAC of pharmaceutical company Pfizer reportedly gave the highest amount, $10,000, to super committee members.
Defense contractor Lockheed Martin contributed to the most super committee members: Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich. ($2,500), the leadership PAC of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., Campaign for our Country ($2,500), Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C. ($1,000), and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio ($2,000).
The majority of the committee’s gatherings have been private. The committee had its last public meeting Sept. 22 and they are scheduled to agree upon a plan by Nov. 23. Their plan will not have amendments in either chamber of Congress and will require only 51 votes in the Senate for approval, as opposed to the traditional 60 for cloture.
The committee members who had received contributions, or their PACs received donations, were:
1. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich.: $26,500
2. Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif.: $15,000
3. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.:$10,000
4. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.: $9,000
5. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.: $8,930
6. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich.: $5,000
7. Sen. Rob Portma, R-Ohio: $4,500
8. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Tex.:$3,000
9. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.: $1,000
10. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.: $1,000
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Absolutely not appropriate! If this is going to happen, their meetings should be in the open. Actually they should be in the open anyway!
Posted by: Kathy M. | October 7, 2011, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
The best Congress special interest money can buy…………
Posted by: Searambler | October 7, 2011, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
Shouldn’t these committee members refuse to take money from PACs? And perhaps that is what the two who did not receive any funds from these lobbying groups did. There obviously is no integrity left in Congress when those asked to serve on such an important committee put getting personal contributions which imply favors will be owed ahead of what would be the right thing–refuse or return the donations to avoid any implied bias.
Posted by: Leslie | October 7, 2011, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
The price at which men sells their souls is cheap!
Posted by: penoftruth | October 7, 2011, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
I wish congress would do what’s right for the people of the US, not what these big companies want. Reduce the debt, reduce Congress’ benefits, eliminate life long benefits, and have them pay into SS and Medicare. Just think if congress paid payroll taxes…..SS and Medicare would, probably, not be in any problems. And Congress, sure as hell, wouldn’t touch it then. What’s good for the US citizen, should be good enough for them, also.
Posted by: Brad | October 8, 2011, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
Nothing changes – Occupy Protests need to swell in numbers….
Posted by: rnevelle | October 8, 2011, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
What a disappointment every member of this administration, the senate and the house of reps turn out to be. Lying, cheating, filthy politics is the core of their belief system.
Posted by: MissyinAL | October 8, 2011, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
THIS is what is wrong with America. Period.
Posted by: america2929 | October 10, 2011, 9:58 am 9:58 am
One can only wonder where ‘transparency’ and ‘a new Washington’ have gone since the 2008 campaign trail.
Posted by: deanbob | October 10, 2011, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm