one of the complications of "transactional lobbying."

* this via calipendence:

"There's a great new phrase in American politics this month, a phrase that could echo through our campaigns along with "flip-flopper" or "last throes of the insurgency."

The phrase is "transactional lobbying." It means the chances of a business or organization getting anything from Congress are greatly affected by small envelopes containing large checks.

Which isn't really surprising in a Congress that has so far seen one member convicted and sent to prison, at least a half-dozen more under criminal investigation, one member found to have $90,000 in cash in his home freezer and the House majority leader and the chairman of the House Administration Committee forced to end their political careers as the investigators circled closer.

And it's still only early August.
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Washington, of course, has never been known for purity and vows of poverty. But the situation has intensified considerably in the past few years — or, in a phrase that more and more congressmen are learning the meaning of, the past five- to 10-years with good behavior.
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As Wilkes told the Times, regarding the route to the heart of another California Republican, Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis, "Lowery would always say, "It is a two-part deal. Jerry will make the request. Jerry will carry the vote. Jerry will have plenty of time for this. If you don't want to make the contributions, chair the fundraising event, you will get left behind."'
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Wertheimer says that next year the reform groups will be trying again, when some current House members won't be voting in Congress — and some of them may not be voting at all.

That's one of the complications of "transactional lobbying."

Which is a nicer term than "bribery.""