Rep. James Sensenbrenner Jr., R-Wisc., $39,750.FLORIDA TODAY requested interviews with every lawmaker with direct oversight of NASA programs. Some responded. Some did not.
Those who spoke all denied that campaign contributions from Boeing and other space station subcontractors caused them to look the other way as the project's costs ballooned and its construction scheduled deteriorated.
"I don't see a conflict," said Sensenbrenner, who held many hearings and negotiated behind the scenes to bring financial and management discipline to the space station project. "Anybody who has worked with me knows I call them as I see them."
Other lawmakers were more vehement. Rep. Ralph Hall, D-Texas, and ranking member of the House Science Committee, said the donations did not create a conflict of interest.
"That's a bunch of bull," said Hall, who received $20,000. "I'll quit taking money from them when I decide it influences me."
Boeing officials in charge of space station development have rarely been called to account before Congress. It's not that lawmakers are corrupt or doing anything wrong, said Steven Weiss, communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan organization specializing in campaign finance issues.
"The system goes wrong when it reaches the point that deep-pocketed interests begin to matter more than the voters," Weiss said.
In a written statement, Cramer said that by accepting contributions from and working closely with space station contractors, he is representing his constituents who work at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.
"These industries have a large presence in North Alabama and play a significant role in our economy and quality of life," Cramer said.
Nevertheless, if an elected official agrees with a company or interest group that contributes to his or her campaign, that financial relationship takes away a degree of independence, Wertheimer said.
Even Rep. Tim Roemer, D-Ind., who has made a career out of trying to kill the space station project, has received contributions from United Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Loral and Honeywell - all space station subcontractors. Roemer declined to criticize his colleagues for accepting special interest campaign contributions, but he acknowledged that the aerospace companies do pressure lawmakers.
"I've had people tell me, 'You're right, but I can't vote with you because of a contract in my district,' or they say, 'NASA and the contractors are breathing down my neck, I can't be with you,'" Roemer said.
Published under license from FLORIDA TODAY. Copyright © 2001 FLORIDA TODAY. No portion of this material may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of FLORIDA TODAY.
advertisement
