Drink up and donate to lawmakers
Hot from our lobbyist sources, check out these opportunities to drink up and donate this week with lawmakers. They’re not in the database yet, so for now I’m posting images of the invitations.
On Tuesday, donors are invited to a “martinis and mayhem” party with Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, Republican from Wisconsin, at the Capitol Hill Club Grill. Cost is $1,000 for a PAC, $500 for “friends,” and $250 for “individuals. ” (What’s the difference between a friend and an individual, we’d like to know?)
On Wednesday there’s a party at Charlie Palmer Steak for Rep. John Yarmuth, Democrat of Kentucky, sponsored by the lobbying triumvurate of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers PAC, Distilled SPirits Council PAC, and the National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC. Requested contributions are $5,000 for a “host,” $2,500 for a “friend,” and $1,000 for an “individual.”
Of course alcohol and fundraisers are a popular mix–there’s nothing like a drink or two to make you open up your checkbook. Click to see events in our database that mention beer, bourbon, wine, and, yes, margaritas.
Tweet 0 CommentsWeekend at the races
If the economic news has you a bit leery about investing, here’s more of a sure thing: a planned weekend at the races for Rep. Ed Whitfield. Horses, that is, in Kentucky, Whitfield’s home state. The ask is $1,500 for an individual, $2,500 per PAC per couple, and $5,000 to be a host.
Betting on Whitfield, a Republican, gives you access to a lawmaker who has a seat on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he is ranking member on the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
Whitfield is not facing a particularly tough race, so he’s a pretty sure thing. He’s already raised $709,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, compared to his opponent, who has taken in about $8,000. His top contributing sector, by far, is the health care industry. Although he doesn’t need much cash he does figure out how to make good use of it. His expenditure records show that he spent more than $17,000 on hotels in Vail, Colorado last winter.
Tweet 2 CommentsPARTYFINDER™ Hints
Beneficiary: 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.
