Many think our government is for sale. However, by taking a look at the facts below provided by Open Secrets, it is easy to understand where they are coming from.
Looking back at Friday the 12th, the House voted on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), the controversial bill that gives power to the executive branch to negotiate treaties. TPA limits Congress' ability to better a trade deal by subjecting members of Congress to 90 days of reviewing the trade agreement, prohibiting any amendments on the implementing legislation, and giving them an up or down vote.
TPA passed with a mere 219-211 vote with only 218 needed to pass. The real shocker comes from the amount of money each Representative received for a yes vote. In total, $197,869,145 was given to Representatives for a yes vote where as $23,065,231 was given in opposition.
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John Boehner (R-OH) received $5.3 million for a "yea" vote and was the highest paid legislator.
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Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) received $2.4 million for his "yea" vote.
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Paul Ryan (R-WI) received $2.4 million for a "yea" vote and came in at the third highest paid legislator.
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Pat Tiberi (R-OH) follows Paul Ryan, coming in the fourth spot having received $1.6 million for his "yea" vote.
The fifth highest paid legislator is somewhat of a "hero" in comparison to others. Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD) received $1.6 million for a yes vote and only $282,710 for a no vote. Despite his high contribution from those in favor of TPA, he still voted a solid nay.
We also have other hero stories.
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Joe Crowley (D-NY) received 1.3 million for a "yea" vote and only $72,550 for a "nay" vote and he still voted against TPA.
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Patrick Murphy (D-FL) received 1.1 million for a "yea" vote and only $213,360 for a "nay" vote and still voted against it.
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Richard Neal D(MA) received $1.1 million for a "yea" vote and a mere $47,625 for a "nay" vote and still voted against it.
Democrats are not the only heroes in this voting session. GOP members spoke very loud and clear.
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Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) received $541,746 for a "yea" vote and no money at all for a "nay" vote and he still voted "nay!"
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Andy Harris (R-MD) received $254,803 for a "yea" vote and no money at all for a "nay" vote and he still voted "nay".
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Thomas Massie (R-KY) received $250,328 for a "yea" vote and no money at all for a "nay" vote and he still voted "nay."
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Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) received $180,832 for a "yea" vote and no money at all for a "nay vote" and she still voted "nay."
Where did this kind of money come from? Those in favor of TPA were security brokers and investment companies who donated a whopping $11.3 million dollars for a "yea" vote. Big banking companies donated $10.1 million dollars. In other words, Wall Street hashed out millions and millions of dollars to push for the passage of TPA.
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Comments
katherine ayers replied on
money yeas
is this for real? tell me it isn't so.
John W Tobin replied on
Crooks in congress
Calling representatives "heros" because they took less graft to vote against something???
They are supposed to represent We The People, not their own pocketbooks.
And they have the audacity to complain that they want a raise because they can't live on what We The People pay them???
Hell! I wish I made 150-180 K just to sit around and have someone else do all my work for me.
Laurence Willia... replied on
Payment for TPA vote
What corporations paid for "NAY" votes???
KMichael Silliams replied on
Pay
Why are these guys getting paid ANYTHING to vote? They get a pay ck and rediculous benefits. They shouldn't get anything else & the shouldn't get paid at all if they don't work! Just like us !!!
MICHAEL MARTIN replied on
which banks are these?
This article is worthless without the names of the participating banks.
Miloui replied on
$200 million paid
Every congressperson who took money for a yea or ney vote should be in prison.
GB replied on
???????
Have I been asleep? Never knew it was legal to pay those crooks for votes. The all need to go now. A vote for Trump will expedite that cause.
MaryAnn Jackman replied on
Ill-informed error
Dana Rohrbacker is a he, not a she.
Carl Carlson replied on
I just made a comment . Were
I just made a comment . Were did it go to?
Carl Carlson replied on
Voting
I can't believe I'm reading this. Members of congress being paid to vote. We definitely need a complete change of elected officials, from the top down. This next election is a good place to start. Americans check your states elected official's voting record on the inter net, if not to your liking, you know what to do.
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Rita replied on
No wonder our country is broke!
You greedy, selfish, unholy legislators! God have mercy on your souls! No wonder you were so Anti-Trump - I pray his cabinet will blow the whistle on all this corruption! Shame on all of you!
Rita replied on
No wonder our country is broke!
Shame on all those legislators getting bribe $! Impeach/recall them all!
Rita replied on
Shame, shame!
Impeach them all!
Tyronne Shoelaces replied on
Bribe
Where are the facts to this and can't they be arrested for accepting a bribe? Or is this the amount that was contributed to their re-election fund? And who paid the money? You're leaving more questions then you're answering.
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