March 23, 2012

VICTORY: Retiring Lawmaker Rep. Brad Miller Commits To Disclosing Any Job Negotiations With Lobbyists

Members of Congress who become lobbyists get huge paydays. A dozen lawmakers-turned-lobbyists we looked at got an average raise of 1,452%. So we sent a letter to the 35 retiring members of Congress asking them to disclose any job negotiations they’re having for their post-congressional careers — so at least the public would know what’s being offered to lawmakers who are still governing our lives. Earlier this week, Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI) told us that it should be law for there to be disclosure. Then, Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) refused to make such a commitment.  But we also spoke to Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) this week about our proposal. Miller said that he has no plans to become a lobbyist but if he does ever enter negotiations to become one, he will disclose them on his website:
posted at 9:00 am by

Members of Congress who become lobbyists get huge paydays. A dozen lawmakers-turned-lobbyists we looked at got an average raise of 1,452%. So we sent a letter to the 35 retiring members of Congress asking them to disclose any job negotiations they’re having for their post-congressional careers — so at least the public would know what’s
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March 22, 2012

Democratic Congressman Blasts ‘Big Oil’ Then Fundraises With Lobbyist That Represents Exxon The Very Next Day

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Representative Martin Heinrich is a Democratic Party member of Congress who is running for Senate this year. On Monday, he blasted the Republican 2013 budget proposal on Twitter, writing that it must have “thrilled” Big Oil: But the very next day, Heinrich held a fundraiser — where individuals attended at $500 a person and PACs
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March 22, 2012

The NRA And Corporate Front Group ALEC Pushed The Law That May Protect Trayvon Martin’s Killer

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The tragic case of Trayvon Martin — a black teen who was gunned down by a man acting as a “neighborhood watch” volunteer who has yet to be prosecuted — is now a national outrage. Slate’s Emily Bazelon explains that part of the reason why Martin’s killer, George Zimmerman, was not arrested by police is
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March 22, 2012

Retiring Lawmaker Rep. Jean Schmidt Won’t Commit To Revealing Her Job Negotiations With Lobbyists

Being a sellout pays when you're a member of Congress. We unveiled last week that retired congressmen and congresswomen got 1,452% raises for becoming lobbyists for powerful special interests. So we sent a letter to the 36 retiring members of Congress asking them to disclose any job negotiations they're having for their post-congressional careers -- so at least the public would know what's being offered to lawmakers who are still governing our lives. This week, Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI) committed to disclosing his negotiations. But earlier this week, we approached retiring lawmaker Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) to ask her to make a similar pledge. She refused to respond to our questions, and wouldn't even respond when we asked her whether she is even contemplating becoming a lobbyist:
posted at 10:40 am by

Being a sellout pays when you’re a member of Congress. We unveiled last week that retired congressmen and congresswomen got 1,452% raises for becoming lobbyists for powerful special interests. So we sent a letter to the 36 retiring members of Congress asking them to disclose any job negotiations they’re having for their post-congressional careers —
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March 22, 2012

VIDEO: Finance Industry Lobbyists Brag About Helping Corrupt Congressman Win Reelection, How Such Help Wins Access

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It’s common knowledge that powerful industry groups gain a seat at the table when it comes to lawmaking — by using campaign contributions and other assistance to legislators running for office. It’s more rare, however, to see lobbyists brag about this process. Earlier this week, the lobbying group for the credit union industry — the
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March 21, 2012

Banking Committee Policy Advisor Scott Eckel: “I will begin work in my new role as Vice President, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, at Charles Schwab & Co”

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Just got this email. From: Eckel, Scott Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 1:09 PM Subject: New Opportunity Friends and Colleagues — Wanted to let you all know that this Friday will be my last day with Chairman Garrett and the Capital Markets Subcommittee.  As of Monday, March 26th, I will begin work in my new role as Vice
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March 21, 2012

Sen. Rubio Supports Veterans Education Bill Despite For-Profit College Lobbyists “Hammering” His Office

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If he’s auditioning to be Mitt Romney’s running mate, then perhaps Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) just swung at a pitch and missed. But if he meant to stand up for honest government and for America’s veterans, which apparently he did, then Rubio just hit a home run. And, as a result, a high-priced team of
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March 21, 2012

VIDEO: Senator McCain Refers To Supreme Court As ‘Naive’ And ‘Ignorant’ For Unleashing Citizens United Decision

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On Meet the Press last weekend, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) harshly rebuked Citizens United, the 2010 Supreme Court decision that unleashed unlimited corporate spending in American elections. McCain was the original author of McCain-Feingold, the legislation partially voided by the decision which placed limits on how much candidates could raise and spend. Though he remained
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