INDEPENDENCE, IA — New disclosures revealed Tuesday by the Cedar Rapids Gazette show that Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA) has accepted contributions from federal lobbyists in violation of his pre-election promise.
In what can only be described as a perplexing response to these new disclosures, the Braley campaign conceded that Braley had pledged prior to his election "to support an end to lobbyist contributions" but never promised "not to accept" those contributions.
"Saying that you promised to end lobbyist contributions but didn’t promise not to accept those contributions doesn’t pass the sniff test," said Cody Brown, advisor to Ben Lange’s congressional campaign. "Congressmen Braley should come clean. Iowans deserve answers."
Braley’s confusing and contorted response to these new disclosures have raised new and deeper questions surrounding the veracity of Braley’s response and the influence that special interests play in Braley’s Washington office.
Prior to his election, Braley pledged to "end lobbyists’ cozy relationship with our representatives" by banning federal lobbyists from contributing to members of Congress.[1]
But according to today’s report in the Gazette, Braley has accepted "$70,000 from registered lobbyists" since arriving in Washington and, according to the House Lobbying Disclosure website, Braley has accepted over $1 million from other organizations and special interest groups affiliated with the lobbying industry.[2]
Lange called on Braley to return all contributions from lobbyists in a statement made Tuesday afternoon.
"Iowans are sick and tired of slick talk and broken promises from Washington politicians and it is time we hold these politicians accountable," said Lange. "Bruce Braley should immediately return all contributions that were received in violation of his promise to Iowans."
[1] "Braley wants stricter rules for lobbyists," WCF Courier, January 16, 2006.
[2] House Lobbying Disclosure Website, last accessed July 17, 2012.