Lobbyists representing Genentech hosted at least four fundraisers for members of Congress who used language drafted by the company for insertion in the congressional record, shows an analysis of invitations collected in Party Time’s database.
The New York Times writes “Statements by more than a dozen lawmakers were ghostwritten, in whole or in part, by Washington lobbyists working for Genentech, one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies.”
Lobbyists for Roche, which acquired Genentech in March of 2009, have hosted events for at least 26 members of Congress since the merger, according to Party Time data. FireDogLake’s Marcy Wheeler has identified 18 members of Congress (Dems here, Republicans, here) who relied on the Genentech language . At least four of those elected officials show up linked to the Genentech hosted fundraisers.
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) was scheduled to attend a breakfast fundraiser at the Phoenix Park Hotel on May 7. The event was hosted by lobbyists David Jones and former Senate Finance Committee staff director James Gould, who count Roche as clients.
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) held a fundraising breakfast at Bistro Bis on September 17. Lobbyist hosts included Darin Gardner and Anna Sagely, who lobby exclusively for Hoffman-La Roche, as well as lobbyists Mat Lapinski, Chris Myrick, and Christine Pellerin, who have Roche on their client lists.
Darin Gardner and Christine Pellerin, legislative assistant to former Congressman Henry Bonilla (R-TX), also hosted Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) for breakfast at Bistro Bis, also in May of this year.
Finally, Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) held a cocktails and cigars fundraiser for Women Impacting the Nation, a project of her leadership committee Common Sense Common Solutions, on September 21. More than two dozen lobbyists hosted the event, four of whom represent Roche: Darin Gardner, Christine Pellerin, Anna Sageley and Mat Lapinkski–the same lobbyists responsible for the Conaway and Poe events.
Also of note: Kevin Connor of LittleSis.org connects Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), co-sponsor to a pharma friendly measure in the healthcare bill, to the mess via former legislative aid Nick Kolovos, who now lobbies on behalf of Genentech. Mark Kadesh, former chief of staff first to Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) and Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA), and now a Genentech lobbyist, was one of four hosts at a July 16 breakfast for Eshoo.
Click on the following individual names to see a full list of clients for each lobbyist: David Jones, James Gould, Darin Gardner, Christine Pellerin, Anna Sagely, Mat Lapinski, Chris Myrick, Mark Kadesh.
0 CommentsLobbyists representing health care interests hosted at least two fundraisers today, bringing the week’s total to eight. (See also my post yesterday.)
Jocelyn Hong hosted her third fundraiser this week–this time for Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY). Her clients include Sanofi-Aventis and Schering-Plough Corp.
Five lobbyists who represent the pharmaceuticals giant Roche were listed as hosting a breakfast for Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) this morning. Hosts include Darin Gardner, Christine Pellerin, Anna Sagely, Matt Lapinski and Chris Myrick. (You can find Roche’s lobbying expenditures here). The government relations firm that is handling the event also lists Roche as a client.
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.