The Price of Power: Congress’ Maddening Cash Quota System
FULLMEASURE
by FULL MEASURE STAFF
5/28/2017
Excerpt:
Today — an exclusive first look at a new report that says you can put a price on success when it comes to Congress. The report by Issue One exposes the secretive money system in which members of Congress “buy” top spots on the most powerful committees. To raise the money, they often collect from the very interests their committees are supposed to oversee.
Nick Penniman: It’s not only a powerful position, it’s a perverse system. In fact, it’s the inverse of what we all as citizens should want.
Sharyl: Nick Penniman leads the group – Issue One. Its new report The Price of Power exposes how members of Congress serve as cash cows for their party’s political machinery. The best fundraisers are rewarded with powerful positions that decide the laws affecting all of us. Insiders report both parties have similar systems of “dues” that members have to pay every two years by raising money directly for the party. That’s called “dialing for dollars;” and by giving some of their campaign funds to the party and to colleagues facing tough races. How much they raise determines who gets ahead.
Penniman: What we should want is that people rise in stature because of merit, not because of money. And right now, it’s money over merit.
Sharyl: As an example, ordinary Republicans have six-figure party “dues.” But it takes more to make the ranks of leadership.
Sharyl: How much does a committee chairmanship cost?
Penniman: So, if you want to be the chairman of a major committee in Congress, and you’re Republican, you’ve got to deliver 1.2 million to the Republican National Congressional Committee. Democrats, it’s about the same thing.
Sharyl: It’s almost like paying for the privilege of obtaining a certain position.
Penniman: It is borderline extortion.
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