That Washington
DelBene Campaign Hits Reichert for Lobbyist Support, but Fudges Lobbyist's Actual Record
A pair of lobbyists and the Boeing PAC are hosting a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA, 8 ) in Washington, D.C. tomorrow.
The two lobbyists are Kirsten Chadwick, who lobbied against the health care reform bill (which Reichert voted against ) and Christopher Wenk, a lobbyist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, heavy hitters against the Wall Street reform bill, (which Reichert voted against).
Suzan DelBene, Reichert's opponent in the 8th district, pounced on his connection with lobbyist support. In a Press Release today, DelBene charcaterized Chadwick as an anti-health care lobbyist, stating that Chadwick's financial support "explains Reichert’s co-sponsorship of the GOP’s legislation to repeal the law."
Rhetoric aside, the case is much less clear than DelBene's camp has explained it.
Chadwick is currently registered as a lobbyist for the Generic Pharmaceutical Association and the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH), both of which supported Health Care this spring. FAH went so far as to "salute President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid, and the many House and Senate committee Chairs who worked so long and fought so hard to make health reform a reality."
In fact, cursory research reveals that Chadwick's varied lobbying contracts are mostly in support of health care reform—by a two-to-one margin, $280,000 worth in contracts with pro-health care reform organizations and $140,000 in contracts with groups opposed.
We have a call in to the DelBene campaign.
Of course, Chadwick does represent organizations that opposed Health Care as well. United Health Group characterized the bill as misguided in March.
"Unfortunately, up to this point the health reform debate has yet to truly confront the cost issue." Stephen J. Hemsley, UnitedHealth President and CEO said that "If we can slow the soaring cost of care, our shared goal of expanding access and improving quality will be achievable."
According to FEC Expense Reports, Reichert has not received any contributions from health care associations that Chadwick represents. And while Chadwick's connection to health care lobbies may be ambiguous, but her connection to Reichert is not. She and the congressman will be charging $500-$1,000 per plate tomorrow, and she has already contributed $500 to his campaign.
The two lobbyists are Kirsten Chadwick, who lobbied against the health care reform bill (which Reichert voted against ) and Christopher Wenk, a lobbyist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, heavy hitters against the Wall Street reform bill, (which Reichert voted against).
Suzan DelBene, Reichert's opponent in the 8th district, pounced on his connection with lobbyist support. In a Press Release today, DelBene charcaterized Chadwick as an anti-health care lobbyist, stating that Chadwick's financial support "explains Reichert’s co-sponsorship of the GOP’s legislation to repeal the law."
Rhetoric aside, the case is much less clear than DelBene's camp has explained it.
Chadwick is currently registered as a lobbyist for the Generic Pharmaceutical Association and the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH), both of which supported Health Care this spring. FAH went so far as to "salute President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid, and the many House and Senate committee Chairs who worked so long and fought so hard to make health reform a reality."
In fact, cursory research reveals that Chadwick's varied lobbying contracts are mostly in support of health care reform—by a two-to-one margin, $280,000 worth in contracts with pro-health care reform organizations and $140,000 in contracts with groups opposed.
We have a call in to the DelBene campaign.
Of course, Chadwick does represent organizations that opposed Health Care as well. United Health Group characterized the bill as misguided in March.
"Unfortunately, up to this point the health reform debate has yet to truly confront the cost issue." Stephen J. Hemsley, UnitedHealth President and CEO said that "If we can slow the soaring cost of care, our shared goal of expanding access and improving quality will be achievable."
According to FEC Expense Reports, Reichert has not received any contributions from health care associations that Chadwick represents. And while Chadwick's connection to health care lobbies may be ambiguous, but her connection to Reichert is not. She and the congressman will be charging $500-$1,000 per plate tomorrow, and she has already contributed $500 to his campaign.
