Shock Audio: Facing ‘Obligations’ From Leadership, Democrat Congresswoman Leaves Voicemail for Lobbyist Cash

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Member Eleanor Holmes Norton.

House Member Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat member of the House solicited funds from a lobbyist. While this isn't shocking news, the news, as reported at Big Government poses some interesting ethical problems. It also shows a blatant unconcern our representatives have for ethics, and demonstrates a deep-rooted corruption in our government.

Kudos to Andrew Breitbart at Big Government for uncovering this gem. Be sure to visit the sit for the full audio.

House Member Eleanor Holmes Norton made a fundraising call to a lobbyist. The lobbyist wasn’t available, so Holmes Norton left a voicemail....

1. At the very beginning of the message, Holmes Norton notes that the lobbyist: ha[s] given to other colleagues of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Beyond being a bit heavy-handed, where did she get this information? Such donations are listed in FEC reports, but it is a violation to use that information to solicit campaign donations.

2. More serious, however, is her frequent mention of her seniority and her Chairmanship of a subcommittee. She is attempting to solicit funds based on her past actions taken in her official capacity in Congress. She is implying to the lobbyist that, should he decline to donate, he will be turning down a senior member of Congress who Chairs a subcommittee highly relevant to his “sector”.

3. Worse than that, she details her role overseeing a large economic development project in the District, funded by “stimulus” funds. It would appear that either the lobbyist has an interest in this project, or the Congresswoman thinks he does, as she states she is “frankly surprised” the lobbyist hasn’t given to her. Especially, she notes, because of her

long and deep work …in fact it has been by major work on the committee and subcommittee it’s been essentially in your sector

4. We don’t know from where she made this call, but it is a relevant inquiry. It is, after all, illegal to solicit campaign funds on federal property.