GOP Rep. Acknowledges That Members Expect Donations For Votes

CAITLIN MACNEAL – JUNE 9, 2014, 6:42 PM EDT

Rep. Vance McAllister (R-LA) openly acknowledged on Thursday that members of Congress expect to receive campaign contributions for voting a certain way on bills.

During an event with the Northeast Chapter of Louisiana CPAs, the congressman shared an anecdote that illustrated how "money controls Washington," according to the Ouachita Citizen. He said that many approach their work in D.C. as a "steady cycle of voting for fundraising and money instead of voting for what is right."

McAllister discussed a bill related to the Bureau of Land Management, which he voted against. McAllister told the crowd that an unnamed colleague told him on the House floor that if he voted "no" on the bill, he would receive a contribution from Heritage, a conservative think tank.

“I played dumb and asked him, ‘How would you vote?’” McAllister said. “He told me, ‘Vote no and you will get a $1,200 check from the Heritage Foundation. If you vote yes, you will get a $1,000 check from some environmental impact group.’”

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