And the Winner of the Special Interest Sweepstakes Is…
EmailThe results are in — and Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) have earned the dubious titles of the lawmakers who take in the most special interest money. Among the other "winners," Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), who took in the most money from lobbyists, and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), who relied the heaviest on out-of-state contributions. The results are contained in a new comprehensive report released by the consumer group Public Citizen, which shows exactly who on Capitol Hill relies the most on outside money. THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS Lobster with Kerry: $25,000. Golf with Chambliss: $15,000. Access to Congress: Priceless. Bribes and Intimidation on Capitol Hill Click Here for More of the Brian Ross Page The report defines "special interest money" as contributions from lobbyists, out of state donors and political action committees. According to Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen, "We found not only that members of Congress are awash in special interest money — money that means lobbyists and corporations get special access to lawmakers and special favors at the expense of the public — but that those who get the most occupy positions of power." Sen. Baucus is the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Frist is the Senate Majority Leader, and Rep. Hoyer is on the House Appropriations Committee.
The report also details which lawmakers took in the lowest amount of special interest money. The senator who was the least reliant on outside money is Herb Kohl (D-WI); the congressman who took in the least is Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA).
Public Citizen says these findings highlight the need for public funding of elections. According to Claybrook, "The utter dependence of many of the most powerful members of Congress on corporate and lobbyist money shows that the campaign system is in need of a major overhaul."
Click here for Public Citizen’s interactive charts on special interest money and Washington, D.C.
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We have public financing of elections in my state and I have not heard of any complaints. It is voluntary but almost all members of the legislature take advantage of it, as do candidates for Governor. Public financing allows those with little financial means to run for state office.
Posted by: Chris Baker | October 18, 2006, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
It public finance should be the only way campaigns are run and all funds should be divided equally amongst all parties.It is the only way to stop the corruption of our elected officials.
Posted by: Dennis | October 19, 2006, 8:57 pm 8:57 pm
We need strict pay caps, strict laws against accepting any special interest money whatsoever, strict term limits, and strict election rules enforcing free and fair paper ballot elections NOW. If our elected representatives in our government had to live under the same exact rules they set for everyone else, our country would improve for everyone in about 5 seconds. Enough is Enough. It’s time for We The People to Take Back America.
Posted by: We The People | October 21, 2006, 4:09 am 4:09 am
There are big differences between accepting contributions from The Sierra Club and gettting a payoff from the Abramoff group. Unfortunately, most people don’t read the details. Ask Frist about his “blind” trust!
Posted by: AbbieX | October 23, 2006, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
Did I just read the Hillary relies heavily on out of state funds for her trips to campaign for the 08 run or have I read something in to this?
Posted by: sport | October 24, 2006, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm