and the
Center for Responsive Politics
have released an extremely timely and thorough expose,
"
", involving "hidden" Congressional campaign contribution bundling by health care special interests. Here's their 1-2-3 on the investigation:
Sen. Max Baucus, the Senate Finance Committee chairman who recently voted down two public-option amendments, was the third largest recipient after Republicans Sen. John McCain and Sen. Mitch McConnell. (click the chart to enlarge). Of the 61 members, only two New Mexican names turn up: Sen. Tom Udall and Rep. Martin Heinrich, both Democrats.
According to the research,
accepted $2,250 from two health-related organizations---Roche Holdings and UnitedHealth---which was then "enhanced" ten-fold by $22,700 in donations from 21 lobbyists.
accepted $2,250 from Amgen, which was then amplified by $9,850 from 11 lobbyists.
Sen. Jeff Bingaman, one of the original "gang of six" assigned to hash out a health reform bill and one of the eight Senate Finance members to vote for both public option amendments, was not one of the 61 Congressmen. Nor was Rep. Ben R. Lujan or Rep. Harry Teague.
