How Pete Sessions Lives the High Life on Corporate Donors' Dime

[TexasTowelie]

For years, the powerful Dallas congressman has used a largely unregulated political fund to court powerful special interests with luxurious perks.


Golf outings at an exclusive country club. A catered suite at a Dallas Cowboys game. Swanky ski resort getaways in the mountains of Utah. Life is good for Congressman Pete Sessions (R).

As the chair of the House Rules Committee, Sessions is Congress’ gatekeeper — the man who controls if and when legislation is considered on the House floor. And he’s used his position, aided by an under-the-radar political action committee (PAC), to finance a pampered life among fellow elites.

A new report released this week by Issue One and the Campaign Legal Center, campaign-finance reform groups based in Washington, D.C., explores how leadership PACs — special pots of money meant to help other politicians and build influence — have become lawmakers’ “preferred ticket to luxurious living.”

Leadership PACs are an obscure fundraising tool ostensibly used to support other candidates directly, or to subsidize a lawmaker’s travel while campaigning for other candidates. In other words, they can cover some peripheral expenses a lawmaker’s campaign account can’t. But with next to no spending restrictions and little oversight, politicians are increasingly using the money as a personal slush fund for extravagant flourishes and expensive events. In fact, less than half of the $160 million that leadership PACs spent in the 2016 cycle — about $74 million — actually went toward other federal candidates or political committees.

Read more: https://www.texasobserver.org/pete-sessions-leadership-pac-lavish/

[Ohiogal]

1. But.... but ....

I thought Traitor Don promised to drain this swamp! Oh well, I guess he misspoke ....

(sarcasm thing)

[TexasTowelie]

2. Don said "the swamp" not "this swamp".

Details, details ...