Rep. John Doolittle of the House Appropriations Committee had a good racket going. Every time a lobbyist gave money to Doolittle’s PAC, Doolittle’s wife got a 15% commission.
The San Diego Union-Tribune broke the story.
Josh Marshall has some analysis.
Hilzoy draws the body-armor connection. Yes, the earmarks those lobbyist bribes paid for were on defense appropriations bills. The Republicans have been stealing from the troops. The Democrats shouldn’t let them forget it.