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Lobbyist Cozy With Lawmaker Wins Jackpot

Visclosky funnels $44M in earmarks to clients not even in his state

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 26, 2009 8:26 AM CDT

(Newser) – If you’ve got a tech company looking for a handout from the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, might we recommend calling Rep. Peter Visclosky? Or more accurately, call K&L Gates, a lobbying firm that boasts in its marketing documents, “a very good relationship” with Visclosky, the third-ranking member of the all-powerful subcommittee. In the past fiscal year, Visclosky has sponsored or supported $44 million in earmarks for more than 15 K&L Gates clients, the Washington Post reports.

None of those 15 firms hailed from Visclosky’s native Indiana, but they all gave him campaign contributions either just before or just after getting their earmarks, to a combined tune of $200,000. They donated another $130,000 to the House Democratic campaign committee. Visclosky’s lawyer says he “proudly helped” many innovative companies, some of which chose to donate to his campaign. “This is traditional, open and utterly normal activity on the Hill.”

Peter Visclosky (left) talks to John Murtha, chairman of the Defense Appropriations subcommittee in this file photo.
Peter Visclosky (left) talks to John Murtha, chairman of the Defense Appropriations subcommittee in this file photo.   (Getty Images)
In this Jan. 12, 2005 file photo, Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind. takes part in the grand opening of the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana in Merrillville, Ind.
In this Jan. 12, 2005 file photo, Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind. takes part in the grand opening of the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana in Merrillville, Ind.   (AP Photo/David Umberger, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Unaffiliated
Oct 27, 2009 2:21 AM CDT
No, he's much to intellectual to be a Republican nominee.
CaptainZ64
Oct 27, 2009 2:19 AM CDT
Actually this is why our country is going down the tubes. It's not a left or right thing, it's a right and wrong thing. Most politicians are crooked in some way. I think the reason we have so many problems in Washington is we have to many Lawyers as politicians.
d3wd
Oct 27, 2009 1:30 AM CDT
We could have had an honest president, that takes no money from lobbyists, but no, you couldn't elect Ron Paul, could we.

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