Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)
 

Tierra_y_Libertad

(50,414 posts)
Wed May 27, 2015, 03:18 PM May 2015

Here’s how much corporations paid US senators to fast-track the TPP bill/Guardian UK [View all]

The article goes on to say who received the payoffs and that those running in 2016 got substantially more than the average bribe.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/may/27/corporations-paid-us-senators-fast-track-tpp

Fast-tracking the TPP, meaning its passage through Congress without having its contents available for debate or amendments, was only possible after lots of corporate money exchanged hands with senators. The US Senate passed Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) – the fast-tracking bill – by a 65-33 margin on 14 May. Last Thursday, the Senate voted 62-38 to bring the debate on TPA to a close.

Those impressive majorities follow months of behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing by the world’s most well-heeled multinational corporations with just a handful of holdouts.

Using data from the Federal Election Commission, this chart shows all donations that corporate members of the US Business Coalition for TPP made to US Senate campaigns between January and March 2015, when fast-tracking the TPP was being debated in the Senate:

Out of the total $1,148,971 given, an average of $17,676.48 was donated to each of the 65 “yea” votes.
The average Republican member received $19,673.28 from corporate TPP supporters.
The average Democrat received $9,689.23 from those same donors.

54 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
So the Dems were running a Blue Light Special on their votes? Jackpine Radical May 2015 #1
My senator, who've I've always thought one of the best got her kickback. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2015 #2
Another reason to vote for Bernie. JDPriestly May 2015 #13
That is why I hope that everyone who supports their favorite cause, be it education, gay marriage, Dustlawyer May 2015 #27
That's a great headline. chapdrum May 2015 #42
A Fast Track victory is a republican victory. Period. arcane1 May 2015 #3
We error when we try to draw the line between Democrats and Republicons. The line is between rhett o rick May 2015 #40
^^^That is it^^^ -none May 2015 #51
They are whores. City Lights May 2015 #4
And they're cheap whores. stage left May 2015 #20
K&R for exposure. JEB May 2015 #5
Amounts Given Rise Dramatically When Broken Down to Amount Each Senator Received....More: KoKo May 2015 #6
Quid pro quo. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2015 #8
I want to know where the money came from. Don Siegelman is in prison for less than taking JDPriestly May 2015 #30
Just over a million bucks? gratuitous May 2015 #7
Crap can't pass on it's merits, so the fat cats just buy it. Most of us knew that would happen. Elwood P Dowd May 2015 #9
They used to come in brown paper bags. Now they're "legal campaign contributions". Tierra_y_Libertad May 2015 #10
Geez. You would think that the Dems would hold out for more money. bvar22 May 2015 #11
There are more nasty fake free trade deals in the hopper. They will make it up with those. Elwood P Dowd May 2015 #12
There is an important lesson here. The Oligarchs are telling the sell-out Democrats that their rhett o rick May 2015 #41
Cheap n2doc May 2015 #14
Remember the NAFTA debate? Opponents were outspent something like 20-1. Elwood P Dowd May 2015 #16
And how many of these "gifts" are reported as taxable income? erronis May 2015 #15
K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations! Enthusiast May 2015 #17
...! KoKo May 2015 #35
Seems like small chump change packman May 2015 #18
Seems cheap to me too. They really are cheap whores. GoneFishin May 2015 #25
Actually that is an excellent idea dreamnightwind May 2015 #37
They do. bvar22 May 2015 #45
I don't think that's quite the same, is it? dreamnightwind May 2015 #47
Good Luck. bvar22 May 2015 #48
OK dreamnightwind May 2015 #50
Instead of trying to rebuy our congress critters, use that money to mound a legal case against them -none May 2015 #52
I don't think you'd have much luck with that dreamnightwind May 2015 #53
HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!! WillyT May 2015 #19
Cheap bastards! benld74 May 2015 #21
Not surprised to see Feinstein's name on the list... raindaddy May 2015 #22
Best government money can buy! B Calm May 2015 #23
The sell out by the dems just sickens me StarzGuy May 2015 #24
And this shows that if some Republicans and Democrats initially stall fast track in the House... AZ Progressive May 2015 #26
You got it. When the Brinks trucks show up, they will suddenly fall in love with another fake free Elwood P Dowd May 2015 #29
So much for our American press being the 4 estate informing the American public. diabeticman May 2015 #28
Cheap dates! Dont call me Shirley May 2015 #31
K&r. Sorry for the late kick...I've been tied up and not on DU. Thanks for posting. nt antigop May 2015 #32
Recommend Read... KoKo May 2015 #33
DURec leftstreet May 2015 #34
If Obama had kept his promises, Unknown Beatle May 2015 #36
K & f'n R - eom dreamnightwind May 2015 #38
K&R n/t Michigan-Arizona May 2015 #39
Excuse me, but shouldn't the fee for Democrats be HIGHER than Republicans NorthCarolina May 2015 #43
Apparently, those running for reelection got a bigger cut. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2015 #44
Does this make you skin crawl...like mine? bvar22 May 2015 #46
Paging FIFA investigative team... moondust May 2015 #49
K&R woo me with science May 2015 #54
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Here’s how much corporati...