bobbyw24
06-29-2009, 04:26 AM
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Republicans-who-helped-pass-cap-and-trade-benefitted-from-environmental-donations-49385812.html
Republicans who helped pass "cap and trade" benefitted from environmental donations
By: Kevin Mooney
Commentary Staff Writer
06/28/09 3:10 PM EDT
House Republicans who received campaign donations from environmental groups helped make up the narrow margin of votes needed to send the Waxman-Markey “cap and trade” bill over to the U.S. Senate.
The legislation passed by a vote of just 219 to 212 on Friday with critical assistance from eight Republicans. They are: Mary Bono Mack (Calif.), Mike Castle (Del.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Leonard Lance (N.J.), Frank LoBiondo (N.J.), John McHugh (N.Y.), Dave Reichert (Wash.), Chris Smith (N.J.). This support proved critical with 44 Democrats voting against the regulatory scheme.
Political Action Committees (PACs) connected with the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, Ocean Champions and Republicans for Environmental Protection have made donations to most of these same eight Republican lawmakers in recent election cycles, according to OpenSecrets.Org.
Rep. Kirk of Illinois, for instance, was among the top 20 recipients of PAC donations from environmental groups in the 2008 election cycle. He received $1,000 from the League of Conservation Voters (PAC), $4,000 from Ocean Champions (PAC) and $4,000 from Republicans for Environmental Protection (PAC). In this same cycle Republicans for Environmental Protection also donated $4,000 in PAC funds to Rep. Reichert.
The League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club have directed support toward the New Jersey Republicans who voted for the new regulations. Rep. LoBiondo received $1,020 from the League of Conservation Voters (PAC) in the 2008 election cycle and $2,010 from the Sierra Club (PAC) in the 2006 election cycle.
Rep. Lance, who first elected to Congress in 2008, has already received a donation from the League of Conservation Voters (PAC) for the 2010 election cycle in the amount of $250. Rep. Smith also received a $250 (PAC) donation from the League of Conservation Voters in the 2008 election cycle.
Rep. Mike Castle, the Delaware Republican, has also attracted support from these groups. The League of Conservation Voters (PAC) donated $750 in the 2008 election cycle and Republicans for Environmental Protection donated $1,000 in the 2006 election cycle.
Environmental activists remain heavily weighted in favor of the Democratic Party, according to OpenSecrets.Org. In the 2008 election cycle 94 percent of the donations from green groups went to the Democrats and just 6 percent to the Republicans. However, this same handful of Republicans now appears to be strategically positioned.
Among the top 20 recipients of PAC funds from green groups were former Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.), who pulled in $9,519 in the 2008 election cycle, and Rep. Vernon Buchanan (R-Fla.) with $14,200. Only eight Republican votes were needed this time around but it would seem others remain pliable.
Republicans who helped pass "cap and trade" benefitted from environmental donations
By: Kevin Mooney
Commentary Staff Writer
06/28/09 3:10 PM EDT
House Republicans who received campaign donations from environmental groups helped make up the narrow margin of votes needed to send the Waxman-Markey “cap and trade” bill over to the U.S. Senate.
The legislation passed by a vote of just 219 to 212 on Friday with critical assistance from eight Republicans. They are: Mary Bono Mack (Calif.), Mike Castle (Del.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Leonard Lance (N.J.), Frank LoBiondo (N.J.), John McHugh (N.Y.), Dave Reichert (Wash.), Chris Smith (N.J.). This support proved critical with 44 Democrats voting against the regulatory scheme.
Political Action Committees (PACs) connected with the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, Ocean Champions and Republicans for Environmental Protection have made donations to most of these same eight Republican lawmakers in recent election cycles, according to OpenSecrets.Org.
Rep. Kirk of Illinois, for instance, was among the top 20 recipients of PAC donations from environmental groups in the 2008 election cycle. He received $1,000 from the League of Conservation Voters (PAC), $4,000 from Ocean Champions (PAC) and $4,000 from Republicans for Environmental Protection (PAC). In this same cycle Republicans for Environmental Protection also donated $4,000 in PAC funds to Rep. Reichert.
The League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club have directed support toward the New Jersey Republicans who voted for the new regulations. Rep. LoBiondo received $1,020 from the League of Conservation Voters (PAC) in the 2008 election cycle and $2,010 from the Sierra Club (PAC) in the 2006 election cycle.
Rep. Lance, who first elected to Congress in 2008, has already received a donation from the League of Conservation Voters (PAC) for the 2010 election cycle in the amount of $250. Rep. Smith also received a $250 (PAC) donation from the League of Conservation Voters in the 2008 election cycle.
Rep. Mike Castle, the Delaware Republican, has also attracted support from these groups. The League of Conservation Voters (PAC) donated $750 in the 2008 election cycle and Republicans for Environmental Protection donated $1,000 in the 2006 election cycle.
Environmental activists remain heavily weighted in favor of the Democratic Party, according to OpenSecrets.Org. In the 2008 election cycle 94 percent of the donations from green groups went to the Democrats and just 6 percent to the Republicans. However, this same handful of Republicans now appears to be strategically positioned.
Among the top 20 recipients of PAC funds from green groups were former Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.), who pulled in $9,519 in the 2008 election cycle, and Rep. Vernon Buchanan (R-Fla.) with $14,200. Only eight Republican votes were needed this time around but it would seem others remain pliable.