How Lobbyists and Lawmakers Bond During Springsteen Concerts
By Marcus Stern and Sebastian Jones, ProPublica
Posted on April 16, 2010, Printed on April 17, 2010
http://www.alternet.org/story/146499/
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Bruce Springsteen belted out his working-class anthems on the floor of the Verizon Center last May, Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., chairman of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee, was raising money in the privacy of a luxury suite overlooking the stage.
Ten other members of Congress were also asking for cash that night. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was there, too, holding a fundraiser featuring Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the Financial Services Committee. It was the ultimate in multitasking for the politicians -- three hours of the Boss for free while raising thousands of dollars for their campaigns and political action committees, or leadership PACs.
DeFazio’s aerie came with 18 tickets and a wet bar, televisions and a private bathroom. His campaign rented it for $2,220 from the American Trucking Associations (ATA), whose legislative agenda focuses heavily on the highway matters that pass before DeFazio’s subcommittee. DeFazio then "sold" individual seats in the box to campaign donors for $2,500 a ticket. ATA’s PAC snapped up one of those seats, which meant DeFazio effectively got the suite for free and an ATA representative got to play host.
At least 19 congressional fundraisers were held at Springsteen’s two Washington concerts last year, almost half of them in boxes rented from companies or organizations with business before the committees of the lawmakers who used them.
(More here.)
Posted on April 16, 2010, Printed on April 17, 2010
http://www.alternet.org/story/146499/
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Bruce Springsteen belted out his working-class anthems on the floor of the Verizon Center last May, Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., chairman of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee, was raising money in the privacy of a luxury suite overlooking the stage.
Ten other members of Congress were also asking for cash that night. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was there, too, holding a fundraiser featuring Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the Financial Services Committee. It was the ultimate in multitasking for the politicians -- three hours of the Boss for free while raising thousands of dollars for their campaigns and political action committees, or leadership PACs.
DeFazio’s aerie came with 18 tickets and a wet bar, televisions and a private bathroom. His campaign rented it for $2,220 from the American Trucking Associations (ATA), whose legislative agenda focuses heavily on the highway matters that pass before DeFazio’s subcommittee. DeFazio then "sold" individual seats in the box to campaign donors for $2,500 a ticket. ATA’s PAC snapped up one of those seats, which meant DeFazio effectively got the suite for free and an ATA representative got to play host.
At least 19 congressional fundraisers were held at Springsteen’s two Washington concerts last year, almost half of them in boxes rented from companies or organizations with business before the committees of the lawmakers who used them.
(More here.)
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