John,

At this very moment, politicians are able to buy tickets to sporting events, expensive steakhouse dinners, and stays at luxury resorts — all through little-known political action committees funded by monied special interests.

Leadership PACs, which have come to be known as lawmakers’ personal “slush funds,” were originally created as a way for members of Congress to raise extra money to support political allies. But they’re largely not used that way. Instead, they’re a ticket for politicians to live a lavish lifestyle.

For example, one member of Congress spent thousands on tickets to see the Boston Celtics play. Another spent just over $20,000 on ski trips to Vail. And another bought multiple flights for his pet rabbit.

Leadership PACs are also largely funded by corporate and other special interests with bills before Congress, which is another way this practice adds to the swamp that is Washington, D.C.

But we can fix this problem. The Political Accountability and Transparency Act (PATA) would strengthen many of our outdated money-in-politics laws — including extending the restriction on personal use of campaign accounts to leadership PACs.

Tell Congress to close the loophole that allows this unacceptable behavior by passing PATA.

Here’s our Founder and CEO, Nick Penniman, on why personal use of leadership PACs is so problematic:

“Leadership PACs are vacuums for special interest money looking to buy access to members of Congress, and politicians use the cash they raise to both curry influence with their colleagues and enjoy lavish meals and trips on someone else’s dime.”

We need to end this corrupt practice now that allows for politicians to take advantage of a loophole in our campaign finance laws to go on vacation and eat at five-star restaurants.

Add your name to tell Congress to pass PATA and end this corrupt practice.

Your support is critical,

Meredith McGehee
Executive Director, Issue One