Pharma Donations And A Departing Congressman
10 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // February 1st, 2010 // 8:50 am
Controversial congressman Steve Buyer, an Indiana Republican, announced late last week he won’t seek re-election after serving since 1992. He cited his wife’s recent diagnosis with an “incurable autoimmune disease,” although as the Center for Responsive Politics points out, he was also accused of numerous ethics transgressions.
At issue is the Frontier Foundation, which he founded in 2003 to distribute scholarships, although none have been given. Meanwhile, the foundation collected lots of donation money, most of it from drugmakers and lobbyists, including Eli Lilly and PhRMA, according to The Indianapolis Star.
Buyer, it so happens, is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees health care policy that, of course, affects the pharmaceutical industry. During his tenure, health professionals and pharma have donated much more to Buyer’s campaign committee than any other industry, with nearly $1 million combined in campaign contributions, according to a CPR analysis.
Much of the money raised by the Frontier Foundation has paid for golf tournaments in the Bahamas and other fundraising events that were frequently attended by industry lobbyists and Buyer himself, the Star recently reported. Foundation funds also paid for Buyer’s travel expenses to and from these events (more here). Buyer denies all allegations of wrongdoing. In any event, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics and the IRS.
Justice in MI
Wow, I love the CPR and OpenSecrets. Fantastic resource.
Of course, Indianapolis is home to Lilly, so Buyer (appropriate name in lieu of Buyee) is a hometown guy. The breadth of the relationship between the Rep. and Lilly would be interesting to explore more fully.
Anyone want to place bets on where Buyee’s next job will be?
(Odds go to _me_ if you say the House of Eli…Odds are even if you throw in probation.)
Christopher
Think we’ll see Buyer’s remorse?
Justice in MI
Cute, Christopher! I don’t think think so…We haven’t yet (see the IndyStar article).
Went over to OpenSecrets. For the current election cycle (2010), big tobacco (Reynolds) had been rising in Buyee’s life. Perhaps that has to do with what he smokes on the golf course.
Reynolds also much involved with “FreedomWorks,” Dick Armey’s army that brought us Tea Parties, brought down healthcare reform, and the like. Also tied into C. Boyden Gray, Bush I’s lawyer and heir to the Reynolds fortune (and once co-leader of “FreedomWorks”).
So one asks: Why have a tea party when you can inhale?
And play golf at the same time!!
patrons99
All this talk about change. But nothing has really changed. We live in a plutocracy. Its still a government for the wealthy and corporate interests in this country.
Justice in MI
I think we need more detailed analysis.
Pharma is always asking: How could it be that we are compared with big tobacco?!
The reality is that pharma and tobacco political leadership (not talking about folks in industry more generally) aligned through a series of big donor sources and related organizations (like FreedomWorks, the WLF, CEI, ATRA, etc.) from the late 70s especially.
I’m guessing/hoping that pharma is now realizing that that marriage of convenience has cost them more than it has gained.
One the other hand, the recent Supreme Court decision undoing campaign finance reform will make it mighty tempting….
pharmavet
I suggest that we invoke Godwin’s Law when comparing Big Pharma to Big Tobacco.
A Hitler
What the hell is this Godwin’s Law all about?
Justice in MI
It has nothing to do with comparing.
It’s about shared political strategies, funding, “think tanks”, Congressional champions, and allies. Look at the career of Dan Troy, and the folks with which he’s been associated and whom he’s represented, as one of a great many particulars.
Lisa Van Syckel
Christopher,.. Your comment was great..lol
pharmavet
Here’s how to get around the campaign finance laws no matter how they are written.
1) The big boss calls little me into his office
2) Big boss says that if I make a substantial contribution to XYZ Pharma-friendly politician as a private citizen, it will come back to me several times over when bonus time arrives
3) little me writes a nice big check.
4) XYX politician does our company a few favors after he is re-elected.
5) six months later I get my bonus, which is twice what I expected to receive.
6)The light goes on in my brain explaining why such a generous bonus.
The legislators can write these laws any way they want. It’s a waste of time.