Big Government has a revealing tape of Eleanor Holmes Norton soliciting funds from a lobbyist in which she improperly notes his contributions to other committee members and hints at her power to give or deny favors. On Sunday I indicated Speaker Pelosi had ordered those Democrats in safe seats -- and Holmes has one of the safest -- to hand over campaign funds to those who need it. Holmes indicates she never sought money before but needs it to comply with the leadership's demands. As the senior member of the um, committee and a sub-committee chair, we have (chuckles) obligations to raise, uh funds. And, I think it must have been me who hasn't, frankly, uh, done my homework to ask for a contribution earlier. So I'm trying to make up for it by asking for one now, when we particularly, uh, need, uh contributions, particularly those of us who have the seniority and chairmanships and are in a position to raise the funds.
Thomas Lifson adds:
The article notes two particularly odious aspects of the call:
More serious, however, is her frequent mention of her seniority and her Chairmanship of a subcommittee. She is attempting to solicit funds based on her past actions taken in her official capacity in Congress. She is implying to the lobbyist that, should he decline to donate, he will be turning down a senior member of Congress who Chairs a subcommittee highly relevant to his "sector".
Worse than that, she details her role overseeing a large economic development project in the District, funded by "stimulus" funds. It would appear that either the lobbyist has an interest in this project, or the Congresswoman thinks he does, as she states she is "frankly surprised" the lobbyist hasn't given to her.
Time for the House Ethics Committee to investigate, and the charges of racism to resume.
Congratulations to Breitbart and Big Government for the scoop.
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