GM, now 60% owned by U.S. government, is once again contributing to political campaigns, mostly to the CBC

When General Motors went through bankruptcy last year, it suspended its political donations. Now that it's owned by the U.S. government, it's donating to lawmakers' pet projects again.

The carmaker gave $41,000 to groups associated with lawmakers, the vast majority of it -- $36,000 -- to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the company reported on a disclosure form last week. The CBC Foundation is a charity with 11 members of the Congressional Black Caucus on its board.

"We've always given to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation as far back as anyone can remember," said Greg Martin, GM spokesman. "Our commitment remains unabated, and we continue to be a proud supporter of their work to advance economic development in communities throughout the U.S."

According to its disclosure forms, the company did not give any money to honor lawmakers in 2009, the year of its bankruptcy filing. The U.S. government now has a 60 percent stake in the reformed company.

"By anyone's definition that was an extraordinary time for the company," Martin said. "We did suspend giving for that particular time."

GM's return to the business of donations remained small compared with the giving of some corporations. Overall, corporations and other entities that were registered to lobby Congress gave $10.7 million to honor politicians and military figures in the first six months of the year. That is down slightly from the $10.8 million spent in the last half of 2009. Donations were down 27 percent from the same period two years ago, but there were still 37 entities that gave at least six figures in the latest six-month period.

Defense contractors disclosed some of the biggest gifts. One of the top honorees was Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, who was a guest at an April gala for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a nonprofit group that provides counseling to friends and family who have lost loved ones in the military. BAE Systems donated $150,000 to the event, and defense contractor Science Applications International Corporation donated $100,000, according to disclosure forms. General Motors also gave $5,000 to honor Skelton.

General Motors has not reactivated its political action committee, which can give to election campaigns, according to the latest reports with the Federal Election Commission. The PAC contributions come from senior employees who give to support the company's political goals.

Highest-paid politicians on Goldman Sachs payroll

(Based on Federal Election Commission filings during the 2008 election cycle)

1. Sen. Barack Obama (presidential candidate) $996,595

2. Sen. Hillary Clinton (presidential candidate) $411,150

3. Mitt Romney (presidential candidate) $234,275

4. Sen. John McCain (presidential candidate) $230,095

5. Rep. Jim Himes (D.-Conn.) $155,098

6. Sen. Chris Dodd (D.-Conn.) $112,500

7. Rudy Giuliani (presidential candidate) $111,750

8. John Edwards (presidential candidate) $66,450

* 9. Sen. Arlen Specter (R.-Pa.) $47,600

10. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D.-Ill.) $37,750

*Specter became a Democrat in 2009

Biggest beneficiaries of Goldman Sachs cash

Top 10 Politicians Receiving Donations from Goldman Sachs
by Human Events

(Based on Federal Election Commission filings during the 2008 election cycle)

1. Sen. Barack Obama (presidential candidate) $996,595

2. Sen. Hillary Clinton (presidential candidate) $411,150

3. Mitt Romney (presidential candidate) $234,275

4. Sen. John McCain (presidential candidate) $230,095

5. Rep. Jim Himes (D.-Conn.) $155,098

6. Sen. Chris Dodd (D.-Conn.) $112,500

7. Rudy Giuliani (presidential candidate) $111,750

8. John Edwards (presidential candidate) $66,450

* 9. Sen. Arlen Specter (R.-Pa.) $47,600

10. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D.-Ill.) $37,750

*Specter became a Democrat in 2009

Goldman Sachs and the Dems, a love affair

Goldman Sachs political contributions over the years

GOP greens on cap-trade got green from greens

"House Republicans who received campaign donations from environmental groups helped make up the narrow margin of votes needed to send the Waxman-Markey “cap and trade” bill over to the U.S. Senate.

The legislation passed by a vote of just 219 to 212 on Friday with critical assistance from eight Republicans. They are: Mary Bono Mack (Calif.), Mike Castle (Del.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Leonard Lance (N.J.), Frank LoBiondo (N.J.), John McHugh (N.Y.), Dave Reichert (Wash.), Chris Smith (N.J.). This support proved critical with 44 Democrats voting against the regulatory scheme.

Political Action Committees (PACs) connected with the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, Ocean Champions and Republicans for Environmental Protection have made donations to most of these same eight Republican lawmakers in recent election cycles, according to OpenSecrets.Org.

Rep. Kirk of Illinois, for instance, was among the top 20 recipients of PAC donations from environmental groups in the 2008 election cycle. He received $1,000 from the League of Conservation Voters (PAC), $4,000 from Ocean Champions (PAC) and $4,000 from Republicans for Environmental Protection (PAC). In this same cycle Republicans for Environmental Protection also donated $4,000 in PAC funds to Rep. Reichert."

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Republicans-who-helped-pass-cap-and-trade-benefitted-from-environmental-donations-49385812.html

Examiner fingers Stabenow on "dirty" money

WHO: Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act (aka Card Check).

WHAT: Stabenow received the following dirty money: Communication Workers of America (PAC) $5,000 in election 2008 cycle; $5,000 in 2006 cycle. Boilermakers Union (PAC) $2,000 in 2006 election cycle. American Federation of Government Employees (PAC) $4,000 in 2006 election cycle. Service Employees International Union (PAC) $5,000 in 2006 election cycle. United Steelworkers of America (PAC) $5,000 in 2008 election cycle; $5,000 in 2006 election cycle.

WHY IT’S DIRTY: Multiple officers and members of these unions, including division presidents, secretary-treasurers and business managers, have been convicted since 2001 of felonies ranging from embezzlement, falsifying official reports to government, mail fraud and conspiracy. The Communication Workers of America and the American Federation of Government Employees have had at least eight convictions, the Service Employees International Union at least nine and the Boilermakers 10. The United Steelworkers of America, which includes Paper, Allied-Industrial Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE), has had 30 convictions among its membership. The amounts of embezzled funds range from over $5,000 to over $100,000.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/Dirty-Money
-Watch-Sen-Debbie-Stabenow-D-MI-44124302.html