Citizen journalists have now investigated 258 members of Congress, and tentatively identified a dozen spouses who've been cumulativel paid $455,539. Incredible. A huge thanks to all who've participated--whether you've done one, two or dozens. A special thanks to KCinDC, who's been an indefatigable machine, and to VaAntiRepublican, who's chipped in a couple of dozen. And remember, this is only phase one of a multipronged investigation into family members of members of Congress who work in the political system as fundraisers, for political action committtees, or as lobbyists,
Continue readingHoly Cow! 170 in 7 hours!
It's about seven hours since we launched the Congressional Spouse Project, and citizen journalists have investigated 170 members of Congress! Thanks to everyone who's made the effort, and remember--only 265 members to go! Also remember that this is just phase one--we've got plenty more areas to dig into. Stay tuned, and again, thanks to all of you who've gotten us off to such a great start! Update:10:45--about 15 minutes to go to the end of Battlestar Galactica--and we're up to 209 members checked. Incredible!
Continue readingRomney Promotes Himself on 527’s Tab
One of the many inequities in our current campaign finance system involves the rules on so-called "Section 527" organizations (named after the section of the Internal Revenue Code that establishes them). Current campaign finance law bars federally elected officials and candidates for federal office--Representatives, Senators, President and Vice President--from having such groups, which can raise funds in unlimited amounts from any source (including directly from labor unions and corporations). That law only applies to federal elections (that is, to those running for or holding federal office), but state officials--including governors--can use 527 funds to promote themselves right up to the moment that they officially declare themselves to be a federal candidate.
Continue readingFind out if Congress is a Family Business
Rep. Richard Pombo did it with his wife and his brother. In his 2004 presidential campaign, Sen. Joseph Lieberman did it with his children. Former Majority Leader Tom DeLay did it with his wife and daughter. All have hired relatives to work on their campaigns, paying them salaries out of special interest contributions. Our system of campaign finance is often called "legalized bribery," in which special interests donate tens of thousands of dollars to a member's campaign committee in the hopes of advancing their own issues. Some members of Congress, by hiring their spouses, in effect use their campaign treasury to supplement their own bank accounts. The practice is legal, disclosed in obscure corners of campaign finance reports, and rarely mentioned by those who cover campaigns. And now citizen journalists can investigate it!
Continue readingHastert’s Institutional Neglect
Does it surprise anyone that Rep. Tom Reynolds', R-N.Y., chief of staff Kirk Fordham informed staff of a top House leadership member of Mark Foley's internet escapades back in 2004? After Fordham "resigned" his position as the chief of staff he admitted that, "...even prior to the existence of the Foley e-mail exchanges I had more than one conversation with senior staff at the highest level of the House of Representatives asking them to intervene when I was informed of Mr. Foley's inappropriate behavior." As I detailed yesterday nobody should be shocked by the fact that Dennis Hastert doesn't run a tight ship. In their book, The Broken Branch, congressional scholars Norm Ornstein and Thomas Mann explain Hastert's actions in the Ethics Committee purge of 2005 thusly:
Continue readingWhen Money Doesn’t Work
One of the safest assumptions you can make in the world of politics is that the more money you have, compared to your opponent, the better your chances of winning. But even the safest assumptions are sometimes wrong, and there’s one special case where an abundance of money can do more harm than good: when the voters already know who you are, don’t like you, and find each new commercial an unpleasant reminder of exactly how much they don’t like you.
After all, annoying ads, repeated endlessly, don’t suddenly start working after the 50th viewing. They only build resentment, and that’s true whether the advertiser is a pain reliever or a political candidate.
Continue readingDennis Hastert’s History as Speaker
The Mark Foley scandal has engulfed the Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. Today the conservative Washington Times called for the Speaker’s resignation and Majority Leader John Boehner reiterated that Hastert had told him that the matter would be taken care of earlier this year. Hastert was once said to “take this laissez-faire attitude on things”. This is evident in the Foley case, but it is also clear from his history as Speaker. Hastert, not acting like a good coach, seems to let problems fester or he actively works to cover them up. It comes as no surprise that his stewardship of the House has come under fire due to the revelations of the Foley scandal.
Continue readingCongress Facts: Earmark Electioneering
As a new feature here at Sunlight we're offering up Congress Facts, a monthly list of stats and facts on a particularly pressing issue in Congress. This month is focused on earmarking, in particular the use of earmarks as an election year strategy. Just take a look at the numbers from the competitive districts in Indiana and tell us what you think. If you've got a stat or fact in relation to earmarking feel free to add it in the comments. Go below the fold for more:
If the Material is Onerous to Access, It Is Not Public
Sylvia Smith wrote a great editorial yesterday in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, demanding passage of the bill requiring Senators to electronically file their FEC reports:
To state the obvious: There is no justification for senators and Senate candidates keeping their financial benefactors secret. Don’t let anyone tell you that “secret” is an exaggeration. If the material is onerous to access, it is not publicly available. If it’s not publicly available, it’s secret.Read the whole article, then call your Member of Congress. Continue reading
Sex Scandal Shows Institutional Corruption
When the Rep. Mark Foley sexual predation scandal broke last week I thought that this would just be another sex scandal. The member resigns in disgrace, end of story. However, Foley’s Internet advances on teenage pages revealed an institutional corruption created by a leadership that favors protecting electoral majorities over protecting children from predators. The House leadership also is shown to have a disdain for pursuing investigations of any kind. This scandal continues to show that unethical behavior has not been pursued by the leadership for fear of losing their slim congressional majority.
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