Some House Democrats Using Loophole to Take Corporate Cash Despite Pledges Not To

JASON CROW WAS one of the victorious Democrats who ran in last year’s midterm election on a promise to reject campaign cash controlled by business interests. In one of his first television commercials in the campaign, Crow, now a member of Congress from Colorado, touted his pledge not “to take a dime of corporate PAC money.” Recent campaign finance filings reveal that, about two weeks after being sworn into office, Crow accepted $5,000 from the American Hospital Association PAC, which represents public and private hospital companies across the country.

The Colorado Democrat is one of several newly elected House Democrats to have run on a pledge to eschew corporate money, but have found a broad loophole to begin collecting funds from political action committees affiliated with big business.

Democrats harnessed the pledge to take no corporate money as part of a commitment to reduce the influence of special interests in Washington. The candidates — some now elected officials — are part of a wave of progressive Democrats harnessing grassroots energy and discontent with politics as usual.

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