Stop lying, Congressman, you DID go on a trip paid for by lobbyists

Congressman Ray LaHood (R-18th District) is still trying to mislead the public about whether lobbyists paid for some of his globetrotting.

“Look, there are no lobbyists. The Aspen Institute is not a lobbying organization. They will never come to my office during the time I am a Congressman and ask me to vote one way.”

LaHood defends the trip to China and notes Caterpillar Inc. does a great deal of business there. “The agricultural interests of my district, the farmers that grow the food and fiber and the trade it provides, it is important for me to have an understanding of those countries. The opportunity that I have been provided for my trips really enhances
my knowledge.

“I met with the premier of China, I met with the U. S. Ambassador, we went to four different cities, it was a working trip.”

I've covered all this before, but I'll repeat it for the local reporters who don't yet seem to get it.

The "Aspen Institute" -- the group that funded the trip to China -- probably doesn't quality as a lobbying organization. But the Nuclear Energy Institute most certainly IS an organization that lobbies Congress. LaHood’s $15,002 visit to Paris and Cherbourg, France, was paid for by the NEI – a trade organization for the nuclear power industry, which includes corporations like General Electric. Since 1998, the NEI has hired 38 firms to lobby the federal government on its behalf and at last count had 15 lobbying firms on retainer.

The Center for Media and Democracy says:

NEI devotes significant resources towards lobbying the U.S. government on nuclear policy, taxation, foreign trade, environmental and other issues of concern to the nuclear industry. The on-line database lobbyists.info lists nine in-house, Washington DC-area NEI employees who lobby government officials and 13 outside firms that lobby on behalf of NEI. (These outside firms include Shirley & Banister Public Affairs, the EOP Group, the Direct Impact Company and the Advocacy Group.) NEI also has a Federal Political Action Committee.

From the group's own Website:

"Activities. NEI, with member participation, develops policy on key legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry. NEI then serves as a unified industry voice before the U.S. Congress, Executive Branch agencies, and federal regulators, as well as international organizations and venues. NEI also provides a forum to resolve technical and business issues for the industry. Finally, NEI provides accurate and timely information on the nuclear industry to members, policymakers, the news media, and the public."

Gee, sounds like the NEI is going to be knocking on Ray LaHood's door asking for his vote on key issues affecting the nuclear power industry, doesn't it? I'm sure that the fact that the NIE paid for LaHood's trip to France will have no affect on his vote on any issue.

Therefore, Mr. LaHood needs to stop telling voters "there are no lobbyists," and citing the Aspen Institute as proof. He is deliberately misleading voters when he does that. The issue was never the Aspen Group. The issue is the NEI. They are lobbyists. And they paid for his trip to France. Period. There is no debate on these facts.

As as aside, I completely agree with LaHood about the value of the trips. If Caterpillar or Illinois farmers can find a new market for their goods, that's a good thing. That's why foreign travel should be paid for my the taxpayers.

I find it odd and ironic that Congressman Ray -- as he is fondly referred on Peoria's Fair and Balanced radio station -- would cite the need for campaign finance reform when he refused to protect citizen bloggers from harassment under the McCain-Feingold bill, but took trips paid for by lobbyists, then tried to mislead the voters about having done so.

See also: LaHood still not being asked about misleading statements and LaHood a top beneficiary of special interest travel.

Posted at Peoria Pundit


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