Pay-to-play elected officials must go

Do you remember the 1975 classic Schoolhouse Rock cartoon about how a bill becomes a law? Unfortunately in the Washington of 2011, we’re seeing how outdated the nostalgic cartoon really is.

“I’m just a bill. Yes, I’m only a bill. And I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill.”

HA! Today, it’s all about cash.

This week, CREW exposed another pay-to-play enterprise, where big moneyed special interests dumped millions of dollars into our political system, and – not surprisingly – got what they wanted.

This time, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) was leading the charge on behalf of the dietary supplement industry. Sen. Hatch took in more money in campaign contributions ($45,780) from the industry than any other lawmaker in the 2010 election cycle – and he wasn’t even up for reelection.

To top it off, the supplement industry paid the lobbying firm of Walker, Martin and Hatch – in which Sen. Hatch’s son, Scott Hatch, is a partner – $125,600 in 2010 alone. While Scott Hatch cannot lobby his father directly, records indicate Jack Martin, a former aide to Sen. Hatch, lobbied for supplement industry clients.

Not surprisingly, Sen. Hatch went to bat for the industry, almost single-handedly thwarting efforts by other lawmakers (including Sen. John McCain) to increase regulatory oversight.

We deserve better. Shining a light on pay-to-play politics is a big part of building a better Washington, and we can’t do it without your help.

Do you know of a pay-to-play effort to influence lawmakers? Drop us a tip (it’s completely anonymous) and our tenacious research team will investigate.

Melanie Sloan
Washington, DC

Melanie Sloan is a nationally recognized expert on congressional ethics. Prior to starting the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization “Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington”, she served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia from 1998-2003. Sloan says that “CREW” is dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government and public life by targeting government officials — regardless of party affiliation — who sacrifice the common good to special interests. The National Law Journal named Ms. Sloan one of “Washington’s Most Influential Women Lawyers.”

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by Melanie Sloan