Blunt Distinguishes Himself Again Among Washington Insiders

Today, The Center for Public Integrity released details of ongoing research concerning DC lobbyists and the earmarking process, and states that in 2007, Blunt was the only member of the Congressional leadership to participate in a controversial method of providing earmarks to those represented by former-staffers-turned lobbyists.

Last month, the Center exposed the circles of influence between members of the subcommittee, their former staffers who have become lobbyists, and the contractors they represent...

While PaperTrail did not find any instance of the other members of the House Republican or Democratic leadership engaging in these patterns — indeed neither Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio nor Blunt’s successor (and then-chief deputy Republican whip) Eric Cantor of Virginia received earmarks in the overall appropriations bill at all — Blunt is a textbook case.

The Center for Public Integrity calls the pattern of providing earmarks to companies represented by former-staffers-turned lobbyists the "Murtha Method," after Democratic Congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania.

More details about the connections between Blunts earmarks and his former staffers are at the PublicIntegrity.org website.