A big D.C. lobbying firm is hosting a wine tasting fundraiser for Congressman Darrell Issa’s leadership PAC this evening near the Capitol.
The two-hour party is on the back patio at the offices of lobbying giant, Dutko Group, and features California wines, according to the invitation. The price tag for the party: $500 for individuals and $1,000 for companies, which donate through their PACs.
The Dutko Group reports lobbying on behalf of about 120 companies, including more than a dozen pharmaceutical and health care firms, as well as municipalities and other groups.
Leadership PACs such as Issa’s are different from campaign committees. Members of Congress sponsor leadership PACs, but most of the money they receive from individuals and companies only can be used to contribute to other federal candidates and not for their own campaigns.
Called “Invest in a Strong & Secure America,” the ISSA Political Action Committee has given a total of $91,492 to several dozen House Republicans and $5,000 each to two Republican senators, according to the most recent disclosure reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission. It has raised a total of $324,004.
“ISSA PAC contributes to Republican candidates dedicated to smaller, more accountable government,” according to the PAC’s website.
Among the top industries to give to Issa’s PAC are casinos, defense electronics and pharmaceuticals, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which collects and analyzes federal campaign data. Individual members of American Indian tribes, including the Pechanga Band of Indians, have contributed a total of $25,000.
Other top donors—who gave $10,000 each—are the PACs of companies including AT&T, Microsoft, Corp., the National Association of Convenience Stores, the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, defense contracting giants SAIC Inc. and Raytheon Co and financial consulting firm Deloitte & Touche.