Recently, several industries, such as oil refining and fast food restaurants, have requested a bailout for their lobbyists from Congress, and idea that has since been supported by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Specifically, she has voiced support for corporations' demands to include a lobbyist bailout in the next coronavirus stimulus package. At a time when unemployment is reaching unprecedented heights, many people have no means of direct cash payments, and many are facing eviction somewhere down the road, Congress should not and must not prioritize lobbyists, who have been buying off politicians in Washington and are among the biggest sources of corruption. So, that begs the question: why are they doing so?
Even at face value, it should seem apparent why the speaker is supporting a lobbyist bailout: she is the sixth-biggest recipient of their money out of all 2020 House candidates, having taken $87,940 from lobbyists so far this election. More specifically, she has taken money from lobbyists for the corporations that are represented by the trade groups that signed a letter to Congress advocating for such a bailout. For instance, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Association represents ExxonMobil and Koch Industries. For the former corporation, Speaker Pelosi (as well as her PAC, PAC to the Future) has taken $5,750 from lobbyists ($5,250 from David J. Leiter, and $500 from Lyndon K. Boozer), as well as $1,000 from Koch Industries lobbyists Chris J. Miller, throughout this election cycle. Furthermore, McDonald's (which is represented by the National Restaurant Association) lobbyists have donated a total of $4,300 ($2,800 from Alfred Mottur, $500 from Jerome Murray, $500 from Zachary Pfister, $250 from Brian McKeon, and $250 from David Reid) to Pelosi. Additionally, lobbyists who represent multiple corporations represented by these trade groups, namely Timothy Hannegan (Darden Restaurants, ExxonMobil, and Walmart) and Jennifer Poersch (Darden Restaurants and Walmart), have contributed $1,500 and $500 to the speaker, respectively.
Since Pelosi has taken so much money from lobbyists throughout this election cycle, specifically from the companies whose associated trade unions are asking for a bailout, it makes sense as to why she would put them first. This is yet another example of how the coronavirus pandemic has ripped the mask off of the corruption of members of Congress, and how their actions are now in the light. Hopefully, the people will take notice, and Congress will not be able to get away with its corruption for much longer.
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