Out-of-District Money Flooding Congressional Campaign Coffers

Congressmen from Massachusetts are getting most of their campaign money from outside their districts, and in some cases, outside Massachusetts, according to MAPLight.org.

The Bay State’s congressional delegation hauled in nearly $11 million in campaign cash between 2005 and 2007, 81 percent of which came from donors living outside their districts, a new study reveals.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Newton) took in the most campaign cash of the Massachusetts delegation – $2.4 million – 91 percent of which came from outside his district and 73 percent of which came from out-of-state, according to campaign watchdog MAPLight.org.

Frank spokesman Peter Kovar said Frank’s chairmanship of the House financial services committee and involvement in gay rights and other “high-profile” national issues explains the high percentage of out-of-district donations.

Rep. Ed Markey (D-Malden) topped the Bay State list with 93 percent of his $1.1 million coming from out of his district. Markey ranked 45th of 421 House lawmakers in the study.

Nationally, House members raised $700 million, 79 percent of which came from outside members’ districts.

The study tracked donations of $200 or more.

“Instead of a voting democracy, we have a dollar democracy – may the biggest-spending special interest win,” said MAPLight executive director Daniel Newman.

Other Bay State lawmakers’ donations included:

Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield), $1.1 million, 90 percent out-of-district, 22 percent from Massachusetts;

Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Somerville), $1.2 million, 85 percent from outside his district, 45 percent from Massachusetts;

Rep. James McGovern (D-Worcester), $1 million, 82 percent out-of-district, 47 percent in-state;

Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-Quincy), $802,000, 81 percent out-of-district, 52 percent in-state;

Rep. James Olver (D-Amherst), $971,000, 79 percent out-of-district, 45 percent in-state;

Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-S. Boston), $1.45 million, 73 percent out-of-district, 62 percent in-state;

Rep. John Tierney (D-Salem), $769,000, 58 percent out-of-district, 57 percent in-state.

Bailout Roll Call

How did your representative vote on the $700 billion bailout?

U.S. Reps. Barney Frank, Michael Capuano, Ed Markey, John Olver, Richard Neal, Jim McGovern and Niki Tsongas voted for the massive $700 billion plan that ultimately failed on a 228-205 vote.

Congressmen Stephen Lynch, William Delahunt and John Tierney bucked leadership by voting against the legislation.

All 10 of Massachusetts’ House members are Democrats.

The overall party breakdown on the bill was:

140 Democrats and 65 Republicans in favor.

95 Democrats and 133 Republicans against.

Rep. Markey Courts Kossacks For Wildfire Hearing

Congressman Ed Markey (D-07) blogged at the extreme left-wing Daily Kos yesterday, seeking “ideas, thoughts and questions” for a Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming hearing that took place this morning. The purpose of the hearing was to “examine the scientific link between a changing climate and the frequency and intensity of wildfires,” following the wildfires in Southern California.

Of course, the day before the hearing, it was reported that the wildfire was actually caused by a boy playing with matches, not mother nature.

Woops.

Niki’s “Washington Insiders”

MassGOP Executive Director Rob Willington released the following statement today:

‚ÄúNiki Tsongas and her team of ‚ÄòWashington Insiders‚Äô may help boost her campaign coffers and her ego, but their endorsements will do nothing to boost the dismal approval ratings of this Congress. Massachusetts families are fed up with the Washington politics that Niki and her team continue to advocate. Jim Ogonowski has the endorsement of working class families in Massachusetts, and that‚Äôs who he‚Äôll represent in Washington.”

Details of the Washington insiders brought in to save the Tsongas campaign posted in the extended entry:

(more…)

Massachusetts Reps Against John Doe

It is a disgrace–but not a surprise–that only one of the Massachusetts Democrats in the House of Representatives voted in favor of all of us “John Does.”

House Republicans yesterday surprised Democrats with a procedural vote to protect public-transportation passengers from being sued if they report suspicious activity — the first step by lawmakers to protect “John Doe” airline travelers already targeted in such a lawsuit.

After a heated debate and calls for order, the motion to recommit the Democrats’ Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 back to committee with instructions to add the protective language passed on a vote of 304-121.

All 121 of the “no” votes were cast by Democrats, while 199 Republicans and 105 Democrats voted in favor.

And who among our ten representatives voted for protecting “John Doe”? Again, not a surprise, it was Rep. Stephen Lynch representing the 9th District.

As for the rest of them, John Olver, Richard Neal, James McGovern, Barney Frank, Marty Meehan, John Tierney, Ed Markey, Michael Capuano, and Bill Delahunt…thanks for letting us know who you care about more than your constituents.

And go screw.