Congressional Transparency Tool Tracks Big Money
 Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 by Connie T.
Remember MAPLight? They
were the ones who unearthed
the records of House members who changed their vote to support the FISA Bill (with
immunity for telecoms included) after receiving
an average of $8,359 in PAC contributions from Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. And now,
MAPLight has announced their new "Committees Tool," which tracks the river
of money that flows through the U.S. Congress, revealing campaign contributions
given to all committee members.
For example: Bill H.R. 5244, the Credit Cardholders'
Bill of Rights Act of 2008. This Bill would limit the right of banks to arbitrarily
increase interest rates on credit cards and would place restrictions on misleading
advertising. But it has been stuck in the House Committee on Financial Services
since February 7, 2008. Why?
Perhaps it could have something to do with
the special interest money given to each member of the Committee. Financial industries
opposing the bill gave $341,199 to Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and $465,065 to
Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL) since the Bill.
Or take H.R. 5632, which would prohibit importation of radioactive
waste, currently stuck in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The nuclear
plant construction, equipment and services industry, trying to block the passage of
HR 5632, has given $45,250 to Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), Chair of the House
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
This is why one of my favorite bumper stickers
I've ever seen is, "Republicans, Democrats, Same Shit, Different Piles." The special
interests' money is flowing through both Parties, and we all need to be really
informed when we go to the voting booths in November.
Three great places to do your research before November...please!
1. MAPLight.org
2. OpenSecrets.org
3. Project
Vote Smart
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