Elections Today
- Pennsylvania
Recent Projections
| State | Candidate | Delegates |
|---|---|---|
 Donald Trump | ||
Pennsylvania |  Joe Biden |
Money Trail: Obama's Army Pick "Played the Game"
Rep. McHugh took thousands from special interests, inserted millions in earmarks
June 5, 2009— -- President Obama's pick for Army Secretary has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from defense firms and lobbyists, including some connected to a firm under investigation for alleged campaign finance fraud.
And the nominee, Rep. John McHugh (R-NY), has sent money the other way, directing millions in earmarks to campaign contributors.
"He has certainly played the game here in Washington, gotten campaign contributions and delivered earmarks," said Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan group that watchdogs government spending.
"I'm not saying it disqualifies him," Ellis added, "but it's something that should be evaluated."
In response to questions for this article, a spokesperson from McHugh's office gave a statement. "The Congressman has never let a contribution influence any vote as an elected official and he stands ready to respond to any questions the Senate may put before him."
As chairman and then ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, McHugh has reaped over $220,000 in campaign donations from defense firms, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. He's received tens of thousands more from lobbyists for companies who do big business with the Pentagon.
One conduit of McHugh's campaign cash is under federal investigation: the PMA Group, a firm now under federal investigation for alleged campaign finance violations. PMA has been roundly criticized for practicing "pay-to-play" lobbying, by channeling millions to lawmakers who were in a position to funnel hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds back to their clients, via earmarks in spending bills.
PMA's lobbyists and clients have given McHugh over $160,000, according to an analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics. And last year, PMA lobbyists co-hosted two fundraisers for McHugh, according to research by the watchdog group Sunlight Foundation. A review of campaign records suggests the events brought in around $25,000 for McHugh's re-election.
None of the contributions from PMA to McHugh are alleged to have been fraudulent.
Related Stories
ABC News Live