Charlie Bass: What, Me Worry?

by: William Tucker

Wed Jul 27, 2011 at 07:30:07 AM EDT

But don't expect to get Rep. Charlie Bass on the line this afternoon. He's got more important things to do. He'll be at Tortilla Coast in Washington for a big-ticket fundraiser. The man who raised over 75% of his contributions last quarter from corporate and leadership PACs -- but was still outraised by Democrat Ann Kuster -- isn't letting the debt crisis slow down his gravy train.  

The PACs will cough up $1,000 - $2,000 each for the privilege of attending. Mere individuals can get in for $500 - $1,000. Pricey tacos.

Guinta Sponsors Trucking Bill & Collects from Lobbyists

by: William Tucker

Sun Jul 17, 2011 at 10:21:04 AM EDT

Earlier this year, 1st District Congressman Frank Guinta sponsored a bill to regulate freight brokers and to "increase the effectiveness of Federal oversight of motor carriers."

With the backing of three powerful trucking lobbies, the “Fighting Fraud in Transportation Act 2011, FITT, (H.R. 2357),” introduced last week by Reps. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Frank Guinta (R-NH), would increase bond amounts and strengthen requirements before anyone can begin brokering freight.

Guinta and Carnahan worked closely with OOIDA, the Transportation Intermediaries Association, and the American Trucking Associations in writing up the legislation.

Now it seemed out of character for Guinta to be taking the lead on regulating the trucking industry. After all, this is a man who said the "central focus of the challenges that we face in this 112th Congress" is ending the "overregulation that is strangling our small businesses." This is a man who disdains federal regulation so much that he said we don't even need the FDA to regulate food safety.

But then I reviewed Guinta's second quarter campaign finance report and I see $1000 contributions from, you guessed it, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association PAC (OOIDA PAC), the Transportation Intermediaries Association PAC (TIA PAC), and the Trucking PAC of the American Trucking Associations, Inc. (Truck PAC).

Guinta: Things Go Better With Koch

by: William Tucker

Wed Mar 02, 2011 at 18:45:35 PM EST

Koch Industries, the second-largest private company in the country, has reported spending over $40 million in the past three years lobbying on behalf of energy and manufacturing interests. They have given more than $130,000 directly to members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform since 2000, including $72,750 in the last election

Committee member Rep. Frank Guinta was one of the beneficiaries of the Koch brothers' largess. Guinta received $5,000 from the Koch Industries Inc. Political Action Committee. In addition, Americans for Prosperity, the right-wing advocacy group funded by David Koch, spent $74,417 attacking Guinta's 2010 opponent, former Rep. Carol Shea-Porter.

[The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform] staff has already released findings sympathetic to industries bent on softening or eliminating certain government regulations. A preliminary report this month, for example, focused largely on Environmental Protection Agency standards and relied heavily on input from industry associations. Other standards the committee is targeting include new regulations on workplace safety and the financial services industry.

Guinta is no stranger to the Koch brothers. On the first day of the new Congress, David Koch hosted a party for Republicans and was observed buttonholing Guinta to ensure his attendance.

Industry Lobbyist: Bass In Our Pocket

by: William Tucker

Mon Nov 08, 2010 at 15:22:21 PM EST

Former Rep. Charlie Bass is said to be a likely candidate for the Energy and Commerce Committee when he returns to Congress to represent New Hampshire's 2nd District -- and industry lobbyists are licking their chops.

Given his experience, "I'm pretty sure he has the best case to get back on the Committee," said an industry lobbyist, who also remembered Bass to be a "strong supporter of industry," and "skeptical of net neutrality."

In his previous tenure in Congress, Bass spent six years on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including three years on the Communications subcommittee.

This election cycle, Bass collected over $36,000 in campaign contributions from the energy industry including the Nuclear Energy Institute, the American Gas Association and the Amercian Electric Power PAC. He received another $34,000 from the communications and electronics industry including donations from AT&T, DirectTV, and Verizon.

Cross-posted to Miscellany Blue