Challenging K Street
TEXT OF STORY
MARK AUSTIN THOMAS: With the Democrats in control of Congress the lobbying machine known as the K-Street Project could be in jeopardy. Maybe. Maybe not. Marketplace’s Sam Eaton looks at the future influence of money on the nation’s political landscape.
SAM EATON: In many exit polls Tuesday, people listed corruption and ethics in government as the most important factor in their vote, outranking terrorism, the economy — even Iraq.
Fred Wertheimer with the campaign finance reform group Democracy 21 says the voters have spoken.
FRED WERTHEIMER: The bottom line here is that the current Congress ignored the concerns of the American people about the need to change the system and the American people changed the Congress.
But despite vows from House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi to run the most honest and ethical Congress in history, the power of money isn’t likely to go away.
Sheila Krumholz is with the Center for Responsive Politics.
SHEILA KRUMHOLZ: The members of Congress need the cash and networking that K Street provides. And K Street needs the access. That’s what they sell their clients.
Krumholz says as long as that system remains in place, promises to curb influence peddling in Congress will be tough to keep.
I’m Sam Eaton for Marketplace.
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
