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Pay-to-Play: Blunt's Washington Money Merry-Go-Round Stops on Earmark for Former Aide
For Immediate Release: October 6, 2009 Contact: Ryan Hobart (573) 636-5241 Ext. 125 Pay-to-Play: Blunt's Washington Money Merry-Go-Round Stops on Earmark for Former Aide Blunt earmark coincides with campaign cash from former staffer Jefferson City, Mo – Congressman Roy Blunt has long been associated with corrupt Washington insiders like Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff, and now the Center for Public Integrity is targeting his actions. Specifically, they are highlighting an earmark he helped push through for a company represented by his former Chief of Staff, Greg Hartley. According to the report, in 2008 Blunt obtained an earmark for $3,920,000 for Advanced Lithium-Carbon Monoflouride Combat Portable Batteries. The earmark benefited EaglePicher Technologies Inc., a manufacturer represented by Gregg Hartley. Conversely, from 2006 to the present, Blunt has received $11,783 in campaign contributions from Hartley. (Center for Public Integrity 10/5/09) View the full report here: http://www.publicintegrity.org/blog/entry/1708 “This is a perfect example of the lobbyist-driven earmarks that have become all too common during Congressman Blunt’s time in Washington,” said Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Brian Zuzenak. “Congressman Blunt has been looking out for lobbyists and special interests since his days as Tom DeLay’s right hand man. People are sick and tired of pay-to-play politics, and it is time for Roy Blunt to go.” Gregg Hartley isn’t the only lobbyist that Blunt has been hitting up for campaign donations. According to USA Today, Roy Blunt has taken more money from Lobbyists this year than any other Congressional candidate ($310,534). He has also taken more than the Republican National Committee and the National Repubilcan Congressional Committee. (USA Today 10/5/09) Congressman Blunt faces State Senator Chuck Purgason in the August 2010 primary for the Republican nominee for US Senate. Sen. Purgason today called out Congressman Blunt’s history of special interest pandering, earmarks and wasteful government spending, saying: “The questions that needs to be answered, Can a Congressman take so many contributions from a PAC and still work for meaningful reforms that are necessary to protect hard earned taxpayer dollars? And if so what reforms has he personally done to solve this lingering problem that threatens the financial security of our nation?" --30--
