CQ.com - MoneyLine

Grayson ‘Money Bomb’ Raises $500,000

Outspoken freshman Rep. Alan Grayson raised more than $500,000 for his re-election effort during a one day online “money bomb” event held Monday.
Grayson’s Web site, www.congressmanwithguts.com, broke the half-million dollar fundraising mark early Tuesday morning and in a press release the campaign announced that contributions, generally of less than $40 each, came in from more than 13,000 people. Full story

Nov. 3, 2009 - 4:14 p.m.

Two Members Open Leadership PACs

Rep. Howard L. Berman, D-Calif., and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., both opened up leadership political action committees this week – joining hundreds of other lawmakers who have the side fundraising organizations.
Berman, a 14-term Congressman serving as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee opened up a new committee called ChutzPAC. Meanwhile, McMorris Rodgers created CMR PAC – a committee that lists the initials of her name.
At least 324 organizations have filed papers declaring that they are leadership PACs so far this year.

Nov. 3, 2009 - 12:23 p.m.

Lobbyists Urge Frank to Delay

As the House Financial Services Committee begins its final push today in drafting legislation that will overhaul the banking system, lobbyists are scrambling to get Members of Congress to address specific provisions that would harm their clients’ bottom lines. Roll Call (paid content)

Nov. 3, 2009 - 11:04 a.m.

Mixed Agendas Divide Health Coalition Effort

In 2007, four groups representing small and big business, labor and senior citizens joined forces to promote the need to revamp the health care system. Roll Call (paid content)

Nov. 2, 2009 - 10:51 a.m.

Murtha Acknowledges He Is Subject of Ethics Inquiry

After years of allegations that he improperly lavishes federal dollars on local supporters and campaign donors, Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Chairman John Murtha (D-Pa.) acknowledged for the first time last week that ethics investigators are looking into his earmarks. Roll Call (paid content)

Nov. 2, 2009 - 10:54 a.m.

Probe of Forged Letters Expands

With the battle over climate change legislation raging in the Senate, Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) is examining new information related to his investigation into forged letters sent this summer opposing the House cap-and-trade bill. Roll Call (paid content)

Nov. 2, 2009 - 10:52 a.m.

Ethics Investigations Chill Fundraising

A recent leak that an ethics panel is investigating seven defense appropriators is expected to shut down Members’ fundraising prospects from the industry, which is typically a reliable source of campaign cash for their re-election campaigns.
“You will definitely see a pullback on fundraising,” a defense industry consultant said. “The fact that our clients are under so much scrutiny, they really have to watch it.” Roll Call (paid content)

Nov. 2, 2009 - 10:53 a.m.

Lobbying From The Great Beyond

With a little planning, you can lobby Congress from beyond the grave. Every year, hundreds of Americans continue to make campaign contributions, lobby Congress and in some states cast votes after they have died. And it’s all completely legal. Full story
o Related story: How To Vote From Six Feet Under

Oct. 30, 2009 - 10:32 a.m.

Hatch, Once Skeptical of Toomey, Will Host Fundraiser for Him

A top Republican Senator who once dismissed former Rep. Pat Toomey’s (R) chances of winning the Pennsylvania Senate race will host a fundraiser for him in late November. Roll Call (paid content)

Oct. 30, 2009 - 10:39 a.m.

Medical Device Group Makes Last-Minute Push

The Medical Device Manufacturers Association has launched a radio and print ad campaign aimed at prodding Congress to drop fees proposed for medical devices as part of the health care overhaul effort. Roll Call (paid content)

Oct. 29, 2009 - 10:40 a.m.

Health Insurers Attack Public Option, Cuts

The health insurance industry, which had been taking a relatively tempered approach to health care legislation, has stepped up its opposition to the overhaul efforts as it has become clear that the final product will not be to its liking. Roll Call (paid content)

Oct. 28, 2009 - 10:45 a.m.

PMA Group Refugees Reel In Former Clients

Not yet a year since the lobbying shop PMA Group abruptly shut its doors, castaways from Paul Magliocchetti’s once-vast appropriations empire are continuing to divvy up his former clients among themselves. And they appear to be generating a handsome profit. Roll Call (paid content)

Oct. 28, 2009 - 10:43 a.m.

Tech Interests Go on Hiring Spree in D.C

While much of Washington, D.C., has been focused solely on health care reform, the technology industry has been quietly undergoing a massive shuffling of the decks on the personnel front. Roll Call (paid content)

Oct. 28, 2009 - 10:43 a.m.

Congressional Support Building for Hoffman in New York Special

Former National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.), Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) endorsed Doug Hoffman’s third-party campaign in the New York special election Wednesday, a slap in the face to GOP House leaders and the current top brass at the NRCC, all of whom are backing Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava in the race. Roll Call (paid content)

Oct. 28, 2009 - 10:46 a.m.

Republicans Slam AARP on Health Care Reform

A group of House Republicans is questioning AARP’s support of the Democrats’ health care overhaul efforts, saying the reform plan could prove costly to seniors enrolled in the Medicare Advantage program. Roll Call (paid content)

Oct. 27, 2009 - 12:27 p.m.

Biden Touts Stimulus, Raises Money For Ohio Candidates

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. swung through Ohio Monday to tout the Obama administration’s economic policy and to raise money for three junior House Democrats who should face challenging re-election campaigns next year. Full story

Oct. 27, 2009 - 12:27 p.m.

Ex-Rep.’s Wife Picks a Side for Connecticut Race

Former Rep. Christopher Shays has not endorsed a candidate in the crowded Republican primary for the Connecticut seat he lost to Democrat Jim Himes in 2008. But Shays’ wife has a dog in the 4th District fight.
Elizabeth Shays donated $500 to former state Sen. Rob Russo on Sept. 30, the last day of the third-quarter reporting period, according to federal campaign finance information. Full story

Oct. 27, 2009 - 12:26 p.m.

Campaign finance news