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Lobbyists for Amgen, Novartis Charge $30K for Access to Pelosi

By Jim Edwards

Updated on: February 2, 2010 / 12:15 PM EST / MoneyWatch

The lobbying firm of Amgen (AMGN) and Novartis (NVS) is charging $30,400 to "raise a glass" at an "evening you will not want to miss" with House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Don't have thirty large? Not a problem. Show up at the "PAC Supporter" level for $15,000, or the "Individual Supporter" at just $5,000, the invite says.

The party is being hosted by Heather and Tony Podesta of the Podesta Group, one of the most influential lobby groups in Washington. In addition to Amgen and Novartis, PG's clients include Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Raytheon, RehabCare Group, Google and Walmart.

You can read the invitation here. Below the jump is the email invitation that went with it.

The party is a Democratic fundraiser (obviously) and thus isn't particularly unusual. Except, of course, that it once again illustrates how close drug companies are to members of Congress -- and how far away the rest of us are.

Dear Friends, Please join us on Tuesday, February 9th from 8:00 to 10:00 pm for our seated dinner with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen, Representatives Anna Eshoo, John Larson, George Miller, Richie Neal, Ed Towns, Henry Waxman, and others. Dinner will be prepared by celebrity women chefs from around the country - this is an evening you will not want to miss. Seating is limited, so please RSVP at your earliest convenience. The suggested contribution for "Host" is $30,400, "PAC Supporter" is $15,000, and "Individual Supporter" is $5,000. Please make checks payable to the "DCCC." Invitation is attached. Come raise a glass, Heather