Matt Stoller at Open Left reveals what the face of corruption looks like: an invitation to a fundraising dinner. (They better be standing while they eat.) It’s truly amazing that Verizon has a Good Government Committee. That goes above and beyond all the necessary trappings of traditional Orwellian naming conventions.

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Writing in the Washington Post, Paul Kane explicates the fine print on a fundraiser flier sent out by Sen. Charles Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and finds that the draw for prospective lobbyist fundraisers will be congressional staff members — not members of Congress:

Officially, lobbyists are asked to give or raise $2,000 to be a “host” or $1,000 to be a “DSCC friend” in order to meet “individuals representing” Senate Democrats. That’s code word for chiefs of staff and staff directors of committees, according to lobbyists who received the fundraising pitch. The image of the invite that was e-mailed to Capitol Briefing included the file name of “chiefs invitation”.

It’s part of what some lobbyists say is an emerging technique in fundraising by the campaign committees — gathering a group of top advisers to lawmakers rather than the principals themselves. Lobbyists say they’ve heard that later this year House Democratic chiefs of staff will be the draw at a fundraiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

This is an important reminder of the reasoning behind item 3 on Sunlight’s reform agenda:

3.) Meaningful lobbyist disclosure. All who are paid to engage in direct issue advocacy with lawmakers and their staff should be required to register, and all registered lobbyists should disclose all legislative contacts, all legislation and regulations discussed, all contributions they make and coordinate to Members and organizations affiliated with members, all prior government employment, and any relationship to a current Member of Congress, staff member, or executive branch employee. All lobbyist reports should be filed online within 24 hours of any meeting or contribution.

Rest assured that we would consider attendance at by a staff member at a campaign cash raising soiree to be a reportable contact. I think the disclosures filed by lobbyists for foreign governments, political parties and other government-related entitities give a hint of what this might look like (and, because the Department of Justice’s Foreign Agent Registration Unit just put a database of them online, I can point to a specific example, a supplemental form filed in February 2007 by Watts Conulting Group, which is run by former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts. Starting on page 12 of the form, you can see what we’re after: they sent letters requesting an appropriation for the Institute for Liberty and Democracy to 12 House members and 9 Senators (you can read the actual letters starting on page 16 of the PDF); they had meetings with three Senators, and they list all their political contributions.

These disclosures aren’t perfect — for one thing, we tend to think that these contacts can be reported more frequently than every six months; the technology exists for these contacts to be reported in real time, which obviously would be preferable. But it does show that a more stringent disclosure regime already exists, and could serve as a model for lobbying reform.

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A quick update to Paul’s post on CRP’s invitation to track mystery PACs. The Penguin PAC, one of the 31 political action committees that our friends at the Center for Responsive Politics listed as an “anonymous” leadership PAC, does indeed belong to Rep. Tim Ryan. I called Fraioli & Associates to confirm what their Web site seemed to indicate, that Ryan had a connection to Penguin PAC.

And here’s a few suggestions on tracking these things if searching for the name of the PAC doesn’t turn up anything:

– Find the name of the treasurer and the street address of the Mystery PAC. (CRP provides the names of the treasurers on each PAC page — like this one; the street address can be found on the raw FEC filings, which can be accessed from that same CRP page).
– Google the address, and see what turns up. If the mystery PAC shares a mailing address with a member of Congress, you’ve got a pretty firm lead. Of course, you’ll still have to confirm the information with someone…
– Track down the treasurer. Do this whether or not you find a match for the address, and ask the treasurer whether the PAC is a member’s leadership PAC, and if so, whose. Use Google to find the treasurer, or–even easier–check the FEC filing for the “Statement of Organization” — the form requires the treasurer to provide a phone number. Incidentally, you can also google a phone number the same way you google an address.

Good hunting!

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The following fax, sent out to PACs, Trade Associations, and Washington lobbyists, speaks pretty much for itself:

You can also view a readable, full-size version. The letter promises access to Coleman in exchange for campaign contributions; the text reads, in part:

As you know, raising money is the first step to winning, and money matters. But early money and support make an even bigger difference in my quest for victory. I am writing to ask you for your full support of my ‘08 Senate race. …

We’re launching the Coleman for Senate ‘08 Max Out Package that we are offering through June 30, 2007. Our goal with this program is to make sure my early and strongest supporters participate in all we’re doing this year and I’m hoping you can join me in these beginning stages of my re-election campaign. …

PAC contributions to Coleman for Senate ‘08 Max Out Package in the amount of $10,000 will be entitled to the following:

MAXOUT PACKAGE–Coleman for Senate ‘08
Checks must be postmarked no later than 6/30/07 to qualify for benefits listed below:

–Participation in one of the annual tirps listed below each year:
Napa Valley Wine Tour Napa, CA
Brainerd Retreat Brainerd Lakes area, MN
Tour of Twin Cities and XCEL Energy Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN

–Attendance at five DC events honoring Senator Coleman
–Private event with up to five guests of your choosing

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Today’s mail brought an envelope with a pair of fundraiser fliers, both of which were originally faxed out on November 9, 2006–a scant two days after the election (what, these slackers took Wednesday off?) to Washington lobbyists, association heads, and other special interest folks all over town. The one above, from Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., will be held at the offices of O’Connor and Hannan, a firm that represents the likes of Exxon Mobil, General Electric and Lockheed Martin, to name but a few. The flyer asks $500 for individual contributions, $1,000 from PACs to attend the event.

Burr next faces the voters of North Carolina in 2010.

Like Burr, Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., won’t have to run again for his seat until 2010. But he’s still holding a breakfast fundraiser at Old Ebbitt Grill (a favorite of both Ulysses S. Grant and Warren G. Harding, according the restaurant’s Web site), this time to raise money for the White Mountain PAC, Gregg’s leadership PAC. The price of admission: $500 for individuals, $1,000 for PACs.

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Over the weekend, Mike Dorning of the Chicago Tribune reported on the means that one Washington special interest, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, used to influence members of Congress, but noted one very interesting fact. First, the means:

For years, the National Marine Manufacturers Association asked one of its member manufacturers to lend the group’s Washington lobbying office the use of a new yacht for the warm-weather months. The purpose was “to help our government relations staff develop relationships with key policy makers,” the group’s political action committee wrote in a report to members.

In 2004 and 2005, it was a 38-foot Meridian 381 Sedan that the trade association kept moored at a marina on the Potomac a few blocks from the Capitol. The cruises are emblematic of the Washington culture in which lobbyists use entertainment and gifts to curry favor with lawmakers and their staffs, said Ross Baker, a former congressional staff member and a Rutgers University political science professor who specializes in the study of Congress.

“Much of this is in the general area of buying access and goodwill for the lobbyist,” Baker said. “When the lobbyist shows up at the office, a receptionist who has been part of this outing on the yacht recognizes the lobbyist and gets him in for a meeting with the chief of staff.”

Profits in the boat industry are influenced by a wide array of federal activities, including Coast Guard regulations, fishing rules, endangered species protection, environmental standards and maintenance of federal waterways. A luxury tax imposed on the purchase of high-end boats during the early 1990s and later repealed dramatically reduced yacht sales.

Last summer, the trade association hosted more than 650 congressional aides aboard the yacht, according to a report written by the trade group’s chief lobbyist, Monita Fontaine.

Beer, soft drinks and snacks typically were provided on the cruise, Fontaine said in an interview.

In a newsletter, the organization described the Potomac yacht trips, which it said ran from mid-June through early October, as a way for members to Congress “to reward their staffs, while at the same time allowing us to thank members for their support of the recreational boating industry.”

The cruise series “is intensely popular and one of the most talked-about events on Capitol Hill,” the newsletter added.

Here’s how the National Marine Manufacturers Association described the practice in a report on their lobbying efforts in the 108th Congress that’s quoted in the above passage.

But here’s the interesting part of the article. NMMA suspended the floating fundraisers in 2006:

With the trade association required to make arrangements for a boat by late winter, shortly after the Abramoff scandal erupted and amid speculation that Congress would act to tighten gift rules, the group decided to suspend the cruise series this year, Fontaine said.

“The atmosphere was poisoned at that time, and we didn’t have a clarification on what Congress would do with gift rules. Until we have that clarified, we will wait, to make sure everything is aboveboard,” Fontaine said.

Note the language. When lawmakers have to be circumspect and hold (or appear to hold) special interests at arm’s length, it’s because of a poisoned atmosphere.

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As promised, I’m posting a PDF of the upcoming fundraisers. I figure it’s more useful to highlight ones that haven’t happened yet. There are 39 pages of them, including some being held outside D.C. (Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D.-Calif., has Bill Clinton as a guest of honor for her $1,000 per person event, Rep. Randy Kuhl, R-N.Y., invited lobbyists to join him at the Watkins Glen Raceway in New York, and Sen. John Ensign and Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., are hosting a golf tournament in Las Vegas). Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) is holding a fundraiser in the offices of Winston & Strawn, LLP (one of D.C.’s more prominent lobbying firms), Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., is hosting a fundraiser in the “Owner’s Skybox” at Oriole Park (Baltimore is playing the Toronto Blue Jays that night), Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is raising money for the Prosperity PAC with a preview of Monty Python’s Spamalot at the National Theater; Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., is having a breakfast to discuss transportation industry issues, and so on.

As always, I make no pretense that this is a complete list of fundraisers–only those I’ve happen to come by.

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By my count, today’s invitations offer the chance to rub elbows with some 34 members of Congress to lobbyists and PAC officials in Washington. Among the highlights: Jack Fields hosted a breakfast fundraiser for Rep. John Linder, R-Ga. Fields is the Texas Republican who chaired the House subcommittee that oversaw the rewrite of the nation’s telecommunication laws that was passed in 1996, then left in 1997 to “spend more time with his family,” and his new lobbying firm, the Twenty-First Century Group. Since 1998, Fields has represented the likes of Verizon, the Personal Communications Industry Association, SBC Communications, Echostar Communications Corp. among many others. I particularly like the fact that his firm really puts the “full” into “full service lobbying”:

The Twenty-First Century Group is located at 434 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., just two blocks from the Capitol. Its close proximity to House and Senate office buildings and the two parties’ national committee headquarters makes it a convenient place to host meetings and fundraisers.

At this central location on Capitol Hill, we host a number of informational meetings with Senators, Members of Congress, key House and Senate staff.

Our in-house executive chef, Carlos Gomez, and our professional support staff provide excellent meals in elegant surroundings. We have been hosting fundraisers for elected officials and Congressional candidates on a regular basis since moving to this location in 1998.

This morning, they hosted John Linder, and requested $1,000 per PAC and $500 per individual. No word on whether the flakes Chef Gomez served were frosted or plain…

The invitation helpfully reminded prospective attendees that Linder sits on two committees, Ways and Means (which oversees tax policy) and Homeland Security.

The rest of the fundraisers:

Doyle Bartlette and Eric Mondres are holding a dinner honoring Rep. Gresham Barrett, R-S.C., on the Financial Service, Budget and International Relations Committee, at the Bartlette & Bendall Townhouse, $1,000 personal and PAC.

Sen. Tom Coburn held a breakfast briefing benefiting TAC PAC, Tom Coburn, Chairman, at the National Republican Senatorial Committee. $1,000 per PAC, $500 personal.

Congresswoman Jean Schmidt of the Agriculture, Transportation & Infrastructure and Government Reform Committees held a lunch at the Capitol Hill Club, $1,000 PAC, $500 Individual.

Jeff Brooks and Lynnel Ruckert are holding a Southern Soiree tonight for Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-La., a member of the Appropriations Committee on the Adams & Reese Rooftop Terrace [Presumably they occupy the building on the left, if you click on the link]. Suggested contribution: $1,000 PAC or $500 Individual.

Ike Jones of America’s Community Bankers COMPAC and Susan Pettit of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Action Committee for Rural Relectrification PAC held a lunch for Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Mo., House Budget Committee and Ways and Means Committee, $1,000 contribution.

Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., (Government Reform, Education & the Workforce and Small Business) is having a cocktail reception at the Patton Boggs Townhouse, PAC $1,500 and Individual $750.

There’s a “Mississippi Pond-Raised Catfish Fry” for Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-S.C., Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, at the DNC Headquarters, $5,000 for Hosts, $2,500 for Chairs, $1,000 for PACs and $250 for individuals; the invite tells us “This will be the last event before the Congressman’s Primary on June 6th.”

The National Association of Realtors, the biggest spending PAC in the 2006 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, is hosting a fundraiser for Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), who, the invitation tells us, serves on the Agriculture, Resources and Veterans Affairs Committees. $1,000 PAC, $500 individual.

The Congressional Black Caucus PAC and Reps. Albert Wynn, Gregory Meeks, Kendrick Meek, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Jim Clyburn, Bennie Thompson, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and Eddie Bernice Johnson is hosting a fundraiser at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, no suggested donation listed.

Rep. John Shimkus of the House Energy & Commerce Committee held a breakfast at the Capitol Hill Club; $1,000 per PAC, $500 per individual.

Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., held a breakfast at the American Gas Association, $1,000 PAC, $500 Individual.

Rep Diane E. Watson, D-Calif., held a breakfast at the offices of the Capitol Hill Consulting Group” (”We offer specialized lobbying services in tax, trade, financial services, appropriations, environment, energy, health care, aerospace and other sectors”), Sponsors $2,500; $1,000 $500; Individuals $250.

House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., held a breakfast at the Hotel George; $2,000 Host PAC; $2,100 Host Individual; $1,500 Sponsor PAC & Individual.

Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., held a Pharmaceutical Industry Breakfast at Bistro Bis. $1,000 for Pacs, $250 for Individuals.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., held a luncheon at Two Quail Restaurant, $1,000.

Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., reception at the home of Patrick Murphy, $1,000 PAC, $500 Individual.

Rep. Jim Costa, fundraiser at the NDC Townhouse, $1,000 PAC, $500 Individual.

Those, of course, are just the ones I happne to have found out about–by no means is it a complete list (and, of course, by no means does it cover the fundraisers held around the rest of the country).

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I don’t know about you, but nothing says “responsible public policy forum” to me quite as strongly as politicians, PACs, lobbyists and hard alcohol. And that’s what’s on offer today on D Street–according to the flier emailed to Washington’s lobbying firms and PACs (here’s a small JPEG, just to give you the flavor)…

Those are five of the many Washington, D.C., fundraisers taking place today (BONUS: We post yesterday’s fundraisers today too!)

First, from Thursday:

D Street Block Party! Congressman Chris Chocola, (Margarita Tasting) $1,000 contribution. Congressman Clay Shaw (Scotch tasting) $1,000 contributon. Congresswoman Nancy Johnson (Martini Tasting) $1,000 contribution. Congressman Jim Ryun (Coffee and Desserts), $1,000 contribution. Congressman Mark Foley (Wine Tasting) $1,000. The flier has a nice note: “These are independent events and require separate contributions and RSVPs.”

Please join us for breakfast with Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, Member of Member [sic] Appropriations Committee; Defense Subcommittee, Vice Chair; Energy & Water Development Subcommittee. The Capitol Hill Club. Suggested contributions: $1,000 per PAC, $500 personal.

Please join Congressman Adam Smith at Tortilla Coast for a Fundraising Reception. Suggested Sponsor Level: $2,000 PAC, $1,000 Individual.

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association invites you to a lunch honoring Congressman Ben Chandler (KY-06) House Agriculture, International Relations, Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. Where: NRECA’s Capitol Hill Office (above Trover Books). A contribution of $1,000 is required.

Congressman Tom Lantos CA-12, Breakfast, National Democratic Club, Contribution: $5,000 Chair, $2,500 Host, $1,000 Guest.

and, the ones I didn’t get around to posting on Wednesday…

You are invited to join Congresswoman Melissa Bean Member: House Financial Services Committee, House Committee on Small Business, for a pre-game cocktail reception at The Billy Goat Tavern before the broadcast of the game from Wrigley Field between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs. (No suggested contribution listed).

PETE PAC (People for Enterprise, Trade and Economic Growth), Honorary Chairman Congressman Pete Sessions, House Rules Committee & Congressman Ed Royce, House Financial Services Committee, invite you to a luncheon honoring Brian Bilbray Republican Candidate, Calif. 50. NRCC Main Conference Room. $2,500 PAC Host/$1,000 Individual Host/$1,000 PAC attendee/$500 Individual attendee. Note the anomaly, but also note that to get special interests interested in a challenger, incumbents appear with him. Not the first time I’ve seen this — there are some similar events coming up. I’ll highlight those as we hit them…

Blake Ashbee, Chris Giblin, Drew Maloney and Lem Smith cordially invite you to a fundraising dinner in honor of Rep. John Sullivan (Ok-1) Member, Energy and Commerce Committee. Rasika Restuarant, $1,000 PAC or $500 personal.

Please join Jim Link for a fundraising breakfast in support of Congressman Chris Chocola Member, Ways and Means Committee. Bistro Bis in the Hotel George. $500 per Individual or $1,000 per PAC.

Please join Jim Link for a fundraising breakfast in support of Congressman Steve Buyer Chairman, Veteran’s Affairs Committee; Member, Energy and Commerce Committee. Bistro Bis in the Hotel George. $500 per Individual or $1,000 per PAC.

Please join special guest House Majority Leader John Boehner for a reception benefiting the campaign of Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08), Capitol Hill Club, $1,000 per PAC or $500 per individual.

Craving a conred beef? A passion for pastrami? Just one more week and you can titillate your taste buds at DC’s best event…
Who: Hon. Gary Ackerman
What: Real, Real Imported from NY Annual Deli Fundraiser
When: May 17
Where: 101 Constitution Ave. NW
Why: Everyone loves Kosher NY Deli
(No suggested contribution level)

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We continue with our list of Washington fundraisers. The principal invitees are heads of PACs and Washington lobbyists.

Please join the Hon. Bill Brewster, David Thompson, AT Johnston, Chad Istook of the Capitol Hill Consulting Group for an evening of fun and food — featuring a Lasershot shooting event honoring Congressman Gresham Barrett (R-SC) Financial Services, Budget, International Relations. 499 S. Capitol Street, SE, Suite 608, Washington, DC 20003. Suggested Contribution: $1,000 PAC, $500 Individual.

Please join us for a breakfast honoring Representative Frank Wolf, Chairman, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Science State Justice & Commerce; Senior Member, House Appropriatins Subcommittee on Transportation Treasure Judiciary & HUD. Capitol Hill Club. [Suggested donation] $1,000 per PAC / $250 per Individual

Please join hosts Ed Hill, Bank of America PAC, Charles Symington, InsurPAC, Walter Price, Wachovia Corp and Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6), Financial Services, Judiciary and Transportation & Infrastructure Committees, Chairman, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions, for a dinner honoring Congressman Randy Neugebauer (TX-19) Financial Services and Agriculture Committees. Fogo de Chao Restaurant. Host - $1,500, PAC Attendee - $1,000, Personal Attendee - $500.

Please join Congressman Artur Davis, Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. Committees: Financial Services & Budget. National Democratic Club Townhouse. Suggested Contribution: $5,000 Host, $2,500 Sponsor, $1,000 Friend, $500 Individual. Reminder: Alabama’s Primary is June 6th!

Hon. Dutch Ruppersberger; Lunch: Tortilla Coast. Contribution: $5,000 Host, $2,500 Sponsor, $1,000 Friend, $500 Individual.

Hon. David Wu, Taste of Oregon: Hunan Dynasty. Contribution: $2,500 Host, $1,000 PAC, $250 Individual.

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