CropLife America (pesticide lobbyists); the Financial Services Roundtable (lobbyists for Citigroup, Jpmorgan, etc) and Lockheed Martin (largest arms-dealer in the world) are just some of the entities throwing lavish parties for Congresscritters, Senators, administration officials and their staffers this Christmas.
But don't worry, they won't be serving dinner (that's forbidden by anti-corruption rules). They'll be serving unlimited, expensive hors d'oeuvres, which have never corrupted anyone. That's why the House Ethics Committee is OK with government officials and staffers attending this kind of thing, provided that food is served in small portions, at least 25 other people are present, and the events "relate to the Members’ or employees’ official duties."
Below is the list of parties. You could probably even attend one of them! Just tell them you're a staffer for a Congressjerk who just quit for doing something despicably rapey and they'll have no way of checking.
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Motion Picture Association of America Holiday Reception: November 29, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., 1301 K Street, NW, 900E
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OCC and Options Industry Holiday Party: November 30, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Charlie Palmer Steak, 101 Constitution Ave., NW*
Lockheed Martin Holiday Reception: December 5, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Phoenix Park Hotel, 520 N. Capitol St., NW*
Microsoft Holiday Open House: December 5, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Microsoft Innovation and Policy Center, 901 K Street, NW, 11th Floor*
American Trucking Association “Deck the Hauls” Holiday Party: December 5, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Charlie Palmer Steak 101 Constitution Ave., NW*
Airlines for America Holiday Party: December 6, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., U.S. Capitol HC-5*
CME Group Holiday Reception: December 5, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Oyamel, 401 7th Street, NW*
National Retail Federation Holiday Party: December 6, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., 1101 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 1200*
Consumer Technology Association: December 6, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00p.m., CTA Innovation House, 21 D Street, SE*
CropLife America Open House: December 7, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., The Mayflower Hotel, State Room, 1127 Connecticut Ave., NW*
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Holiday Reception: December 7, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., 1615 H Street, NW*
Financial Services Roundtable Holiday Celebration: December 12, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., 600 13th St. NW, Suite 400*
American Gas Association Holiday Reception: December 12, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Barrel, 613 Pennsylvania Ave, SE*
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Holiday Party: December 12, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Eastern Market – North Hall, 225 7th Street, SE*
Google – Big Moments of 2017: December 12, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.*
TechNet Holiday Party: December 13, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Fig & Olive, 934 Palmer Alley, NW*
Nuclear Energy Institute Congressional Holiday Charity Reception: December 13, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Charlie Palmer Steak, 101 Constitution Avenue, NW*
National Association of Broadcasters Holiday Reception: December 14, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., 1771 N Street, NW*
American Insurance Association Holiday Reception: December 14, 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 750
Lobbyists Bring Holiday Cheer to Lawmakers and Congressional Staff With Glitzy Parties [Lee Fang/The Intercept]
