Hoyer leadership PAC spending highlighted
A new study of spending by congressional leadership PACS finds that House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland used $52,700 from his fund to pay for travel with donors to resorts over the past two years.
The Washington Post reported the spending, which was compiled from Federal Election Commission data for the paper by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Leadership PACS are vehicles that politicians use to vacuum up money from lobbyists, special interests, fat-cat donors and others, which they then funnel to other candidates. The idea is that their fellow pols, once elected or re-elected to Congress, will repay the generosity by supporting the leadership ambitions of the sponsor, in this case Hoyer.
Campaign finance critics point out that many ordinary representatives and senators have also established leadership PACs, as have presidential candidates in recent years. The critics also note that less than half of the money collected by these leadership PACs winds up going to other candidates.
Of course, it costs money to raise money, which is why much of the contributed money goes to fundraising staff, consultants and the high-rolling resorts that apparently grease the flow of dough. The Post article points out that House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio used more than $70,000 for travel with donors to the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Fla.
Hoyer spokeswoman Stephanie Lundberg is quoted as saying that Hoyer meets with contributors at resorts to ensure that donations "are as high as possible" and that he channeled an above-average amount of the money he's collected to other candidates.
The article also reported that Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reported no trips and just one catered event, for $1,125, through her leadership committee.
Comments
The unfortunate news is that this bum will be re elected by the blind and sheepish democratic voters of Maryland. What ? Hoyer a criminal like the rest of them ? Must be George Bush's fault.
VOTE YOUR INCUMBENTS OUT OF OFFICE.
Posted by: tim | June 2, 2010 8:55 AM
Really Tim?
Cause if you knew anything about this guy, his record on leadership, or his policies, you would drool like an idiot trying to find something to justify NOT voting for him.
One of the most competent politicians we have in DC, someone who understands the new world and the limitations and reality of power.
Posted by: Gavin | June 2, 2010 9:09 AM
I see my party member, John Boehner, outdid Hoyer by 20%.
Posted by: Tom | June 2, 2010 9:12 AM
RE-ELECT NO INCUMBENTS!!!!
I don't care who is elected as long as they are not INCUMBENTS! Dem Repub or Martian, don't matter.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 2, 2010 9:17 AM
Could not agree more. If I need my car lubed I only need to slide Steny under it. This guy, and the rest of the worthless Demeocrats in Washington is one of the major reasons why we are going down the tubes, but I also agree that the idiot voters of his district will vote this bum back in.
Posted by: reader203 | June 2, 2010 9:19 AM
It would be interesting to see how much Hoyer money has been funneled to Congressman Kratovil's district ?
Posted by: john | June 2, 2010 9:58 AM
I agree that Hoyer shouldn't be allowed to do this, although the law pretty much allows it.
What concerns me is the tone of this article? Is this supposed to be a news article? Check out this paragraph:
"Leadership PACS are vehicles that politicians use to vacuum up money from lobbyists, special interests, fat-cat donors and others, which they then funnel to other candidates. The idea is that their fellow pols, once elected or re-elected to Congress, will repay the generosity by supporting the leadership ambitions of the sponsor, in this case Hoyer."
"Vacuum?" "Fat-cat donors?" In a news article? Is that what passes for journalism these days? Gee, and we wonder why people stopped reading news...
Posted by: Milt Shook | June 2, 2010 10:29 AM
PAC is legal vehicle to buy votes, Senator Hoyer is the store.
Posted by: Regina Delp | June 2, 2010 10:31 AM
I agree lets vote out all incumbents. hoyer is nothing but a lap dog to the Democratic party.
Posted by: Martin- Taxes | June 2, 2010 11:17 AM
The only thing I can expect from Steny besides dishonesty is his great cover up stories. He and Barney Frank are two of a kind.
Posted by: Norm Silver | June 2, 2010 12:27 PM
throw stimpy out with the rest of the bottom feeders. this twerp never worked an honest day in his life
Posted by: gimbo | June 2, 2010 1:08 PM
Should vote for his opponent Andrew Gall- his whole thing is getting rid of the ties between money & politics
Posted by: Chuck | June 2, 2010 1:13 PM
Shady Steny was one of the guys leading the charge to saddle you with the health care bill. That alone should be reason enough to throw his encumbant butt out. He's a power hungry, crooked jerk just like the rest of the encumbants. Let's wipe the slate clean and vote in some new blood.
Posted by: Mike Brown | June 2, 2010 2:12 PM
Steny Hoyer will know what it's like to need a real job come November.
Vote:
Incumbents-OUT
and
Term Limits-IN!
Posted by: Mike | June 2, 2010 4:29 PM
PG County is majority democrat and Hoyer won has been a congressman for 30 yrs. Who's gonna vote him out? Fools. Learn some history.
Posted by: Ameriboy | June 4, 2010 8:05 AM