Watchdogs Highlight Donations from Health Lobbyists

5150235Legislators influencing the health care debate are not only receiving significant political donations from members of the health and insurance industries but also from the numerous lobbyists that represent the industries, a report by two Washington watchdog groups shows.

After a month-long investigation, the Sunlight Foundation and the Center for Responsive Politics found that 61 members of Congress each received money from 10 or more lobbyists whose health industry clients also donated to their campaigns. Those 61 lawmakers include 39 senators and 22 House members; by party, it includes 38 Democrats and 23 Republicans.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) topped the list with the highest amount received from lobbyists who represent the health industry, but much of that money was given during the 2008 presidential campaign, according to the Sunlight Foundation. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) came next, followed by Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.), who is currently leading deliberations over a health care bill he introduced.

From January 2007 through June 2009, Baucus collected contributions from 11 major health sector firms that each worked with at least 10 lobbyists who also gave to the senator, according to the investigation. For instance, Baucus received money from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, as well as from 37 outside lobbyists representing the trade association.

"When we saw a dozen, two dozen, even three dozen lobbyists for a single company giving to the same members as their clients, we were frankly stunned," Sunlight Senior Fellow Larry Makinson said in a statement.

The organization pointed out that there is nothing to indicate that the multiple donations were part of any organized effort to win over lawmakers' support.