Running for Congress Isn’t a Family Business
October 30, 2013
Running for Congress Isn’t a Family Business
By Melanie Sloan - http://www.citizensforethics.org/blog/entry/running-for-congress-isnt-a-family-business-nepotism
Earlier this month, the government shutdown left most federal workers furloughed as the country spiraled toward an economic crisis — but members of Congress kept fundraising. So what is all that money used for?
As “60 Minutes” reported earlier this month, surprisingly often, members of Congress are using it to pay family members, pick up the tab at expensive hotels and restaurants, and cover other expenses the rest of us have to pay for ourselves.
My organization, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, routinely combs through campaign finance reports and other documents in an attempt to follow the money. In “Family Affair,” a report published last year, we found that more than 75 members of the House had paid family members through their campaign committees or political action committees during the 2008 and 2010 election cycles, and 90 representatives paid or contributed to family businesses, employers or associated nonprofits.
Some other spending caught our attention, too. .........
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