Nonprofits & Legislators

This is not how it is supposed to work, but as this story from USA Today reports, it does all too often.

An excerpt.

“WASHINGTON — At first glance, Congressmen Hal Rogers and Chaka Fattah don't have much in common. Rogers, a Republican, represents a rural district in Kentucky. Fattah, a Democrat, hails from an urban district in Philadelphia.

“Thanks to Rogers, this year's federal spending will include $18.9 million funneled to a half-dozen non-profit groups he founded that do everything from research homeland security technologies to clean litter along his district's highways. One sponsors summer camps for students called "Rogers Scholars" and "Rogers Explorers."

“Fattah directed $3.5 million this year to three non-profit groups he founded that provide scholarships and educational programs. One organizes the annual "Fattah Conference on Higher Education."

“Fattah and Rogers are among eight lawmakers who have used special legislative provisions called "earmarks" to fund charities with close personal connections. A USA TODAY review of federal spending legislation and non-profit records identified $30.6 million this year — and more than $89 million over the past three years — directed to groups closely tied to the lawmakers. That included $38.1 million over three years to groups founded by the lawmaker sponsoring the earmark and $2 million since 2008 to groups where earmark sponsors' spouses have been unpaid directors.

“In March, House Democrats banned earmarks that go to for-profit companies, while most House Republicans, including Rogers, have chosen not to request any earmarks for the next budget cycle. Neither moratorium was adopted by the Senate.”