After a four-day stretch packed with late night markup sessions and at least 40 fundraisers, it looks as if members of Congress will be taking it easy over the next few days. We have invitations to three events this weekend–an A’s/Yankees game, a wine tour and the Allstate 400 at the Indianapolis Speedway.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) leads off with a weekend getaway at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California, where his guests will be treated to a wine tour and reception and then left free to explore the resort’s spa, art gallery and “world class golf course”. Contributions of $1,000-$5,000 can be made out to his leadership committee: Invest in a Strong and Secure America (ISSA!) PAC which has raised $125,000 so far this election cycle.
Next up, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is hosting an event at the Yankees’ new stadium for his leadership PAC (IMPACT). $5,000 will reserve a seat for the game along with a tour of the new stadium before the first pitch.
Cheapie event of the weekend: Rep. Buyer (R-IN) rounds things out with a fundraiser at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Speedway. $1,500 for PACs and $500 for individuals.
One final note–Issa’s guests might want to skip the Pechanga’s scheduled stand-up.
1 CommentCongress is working pretty hard this week (see a few of the scheduled hearings here, here and here). However, the busy work schedule isn’t stopping–or maybe it’s even inspiring–legislators to party hard in their free time. For today’s date alone, June 16, we have 33 fundraising events in the Party Time database.
Perhaps the greatest similarity between all of these events is that, with only a handful of exceptions, the choice of venue and mode of entertainment sound, well, boring. I enjoy shrimp cocktails and Maryland crabcakes as much as anyone else, but how many private lunch buffets in the Blue Room can one legislator stand? Some of our elected officials’ favorite venues are beyond tired.
There are a few legislators who are showing some creativity. Rep. Tom Latham (R, IA-4) is hosting a fundraiser at the Starfish Café. He’s asking for $2,500 from PACs and $1,500 from individual donors (and that gorgonzola pear salad looks like it might be worth every penny). Rep. Parker Griffith (D, AL-5) is hosting a dinner at Bobby Van’s Grill—his first event at this location according to our records. While his adventurism is surely to be applauded, it may be poorly rewarded according to one Washington Post reader review.
To round out this 33-fundraising-event day, Rep. Darrell Issa (R, CA-49) is hosting his 8th annual Issa Cream Event. He’s asking PACs for $1,000 and individuals for $500. The invitation lists 13 additional House Reps. as “special guests”–which just goes to show that everyone loves ice cream. Or issa cream. Or whatever.
0 CommentsBeneficiary: congressional candidate, lawmaker, or entity which collects funds raised at party
Host: person who is hosting party-often, but not always, a registered federal lobbyist
Venue Name: where the party is
Entertainment Type: type of gathering, such as "breakfast," "ski trip," "bowling"
Other Lawmakers Mentioned: lawmakers mentioned on invitation who are used as a draw for the event
Sunlight's Party Time is a project to track parties for members of Congress or congressional candidates that happen all year round in Washington, D.C. and beyond. (read more)
We also post information we receive about parties where members of Congress are expected to participate—such as convention or inaugural parties.
Since we don't hear about all the parties, you can also tell us if you know where the party is and we don't.