Democratic leaders this week unveiled a policy agenda addressing voting rights, ethics laws and influence peddling while criticizing President Donald Trump and his party for not “draining the swamp.” But that “swamp” sustains Democrats, too.

At the press conference, Democrats introduced a Better Deal for Our Democracy, a three-page manifesto reflecting the party’s vision ahead of the midterms.

Curtailing the “influence of high-powered Washington insiders, lobbyists and big-money donors — and the special interests that are driving Washington’s agenda” is part of it.

An OpenSecrets analysis of Federal Election Commission data, however, found that incumbent Democrats this cycle have accepted millions in campaign contributions from lobbyists as the party seeks to reclaim at least one chamber of Congress.

Since 2017, Democrats and those who caucus with the party have accepted $6.8 million in lobbying contributions versus $8.3 million to Republicans — and there are fewer of them.

Donations range from $37 to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to the $388,820 that Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) has collected from 201 different lobbyists since last year, FEC data show.

Only 10 Democrats and 11 Republicans in Congress haven’t reported donations from lobbyists in their FEC reports through April.

On average, Democrats have received $29,064. For Republicans, it’s $30,222.

And that money brings access.

“The game is pay-to-play, and it’s completely legal,” Jimmy Williams, a former lobbyist and host of the DecodeDC podcast, said. “It’s a form of legalized bribery. Anyone who thinks that it’s not is fooling themselves or is in a state of denial.”

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Overall, lawmakers who held seats this session have received $15.2 million from Washington lobbyists.

That’s only personal checks. It doesn’t include the thousands of breakfast, lunch and cocktail hour fundraisers hosted by lobbyists in Washington where special interests groups go with checks for an opportunity to speak with members.

The politicians who have accepted campaign cash from those seeking access and influence over legislation are a “Who’s Who” on the Democratic side.

Seven Democrats spoke at the press conference Monday. Each had received checks from lobbyists.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has collected $13,965 from thirteen lobbyists and another $26,500 for her leadership fund, PAC to the Future.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has received $3,550 from five. (Another $15,000 was funneled to his leadership PAC).

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) has received $95,000 from 72 different lobbyists. That ranks 35th — one spot below Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ($98,050 from 68 lobbyists) — among current members who have benefited from personal donations from registered lobbyists since 2017. Another $15,900 has gone to his leadership PAC.

Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.): $62,000 from 66 different lobbyists. She ranks 51st. (Her leadership PAC received another $650).

The “Better Deal” agenda was developed through a task force, whose chair, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), also has a sprinkle of lobby money in his campaign account: $600. Last year, Sarbanes introduced a campaign finance reform bill cosponsored by a majority of the Democratic caucus, but only one Republican representative signed on.

Other Democrats who spoke on the Trump administration’s fostering of pay-to-play politics and influence peddling were:

Sen. Tom Udall (N.M.): $10,925. 18 lobbyists. (Another $6,000 went to his leadership PAC)

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.): $7,675. 20 lobbyists.

In an era when politicians raise millions for reelection campaigns, $7,000 here or $95,000 there is barely noticeable.

But the “Better Deal” agenda was pitched as an egalitarian vision of American democracy, even as the party continues to accept millions from those seeking special access and influence in Washington.

The DSCC and DCCC, for example, have accepted a combined $2.2 million from lobbyists. The NRSC and NRCC have reported $2.6 million in donations.



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