Strategic Giving

USA Today reports that regardless of the gift ban under the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA), signed into law in 2007, lobbyists continue to spend a vast amount of money to honor members of Congress or donate to nonprofits connected to them. The law requires lobbyists and entities that employ lobbyists to report payments to events or groups associated with legislators or top federal officials.

USA Today found that lobbyists gave $35.8 million in 2008, with $28 million going to nonprofit organizations. Many of the payments were done to "honor" lawmakers and in some cases, the donations "came in response to a personal appeal for funds from the lawmaker." For example, more than $802,000 was given to nonprofits in honor of Rep. Clyburn (D-SC), including the James E. Clyburn Research and Scholarship Foundation.

Despite objections, hints of a connection between a donation to a charity and a lawmaker's actions are unmistakable. For example, last year telecommunications companies gave more than $72,000 to groups in honor of Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), including a $40,000 gift from AT&T to Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, an Alzheimer’s research group. Rockefeller was at the time the ranking member on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and advocated for legislation to provide legal immunity to phone companies that participated in the government's warrantless wiretapping program.

Despite a pledge by congressional leaders to sever ties between lawmakers and special interests, the reports show lobbyists often give to non-profits associated with the lawmakers who regulate their industries. Health care groups, for instance, give millions to the planned Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston. Pharmaceutical giant Amgen wrote the biggest check — $5 million in December — to the institute, which will honor Kennedy's more than four decades in Congress and promote the study of the U.S. Senate. Aetna insurance company donated $50,000.

In Oct. 2008 the New York Times had a very similar article. "They do not seem the most likely classical music patrons: Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Boeing and Lockheed Martin.But together, these defense contractors are donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to the symphony orchestra in Johnstown, Pa., underwriting performances of Mozart and Wagner in this struggling former steel town.

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