The Menendez Money Trail Leads to Oregon

 

“They pretend they are fighting up there, but they really aren’t. They are arguing over power, spin, who looks good, who looks bad; all trying to preserve the system where they can spend what they want, take care of their friends and print money when they need it.”  –Republican Ron Paul


 

As Senator Bob Menendez’s (D-N.J.) trial for felony bribery and corruption continues, Senate Democrats are mum on their Menendez Money.

 

Senator Merkley accepted $17,500 from Senator Menendez’s PAC, but has yet to say if he will return the dirty money. In fact, he supports Menendez so strongly, Senator Merkley donated to Menendez from his own PAC, even after he was indicted! This typical Democrat dodge should come as no surprise, as Senator Merkley also refuses to say if his colleague should continue to serve in the U.S. Senate or resign immediately if convicted.

 

By refusing to return contributions made by a senator charged with felony bribery and corruption, Senator Merkley is sending a clear message to the people of Oregon that lining his campaign coffers with tainted money is more important than maintaining the integrity of the U.S. Senate.

 

The people of Oregon deserve better. Senator Merkley must return the Menendez Money now.

 

 

See below for the latest from RNC Research on the more than 29 Democrat Senators who have yet to return Menendez’s PAC contributions.

 

Most Democrats have refused to return contributions from their colleague who currently is on trial for felony bribery & corruption charges
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The Menendez Money Trail

Most Democrats Have Refused To Return Contributions From Their Colleague Who Currently Is On Trial For Felony Bribery & Corruption Charges

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TOP TAKEAWAYS

  • Through his New Millennium Political Action Committee, Sen. Menendez contributed an average of $275,000 per election cycle in direct contributions to fellow Democrats.
  • Following Sen. Menendez’s indictment, most Senate Democrats hung on to his political contributions, with only a few announcing they would return the funds or donate them to charity.
  • Senators who have yet to return contributions received from Sen. Menendez include, Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jon Tester (D-MT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI,), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Al Franken (D-MN), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI),
  • As recent as this year, Sen. Menendez contributed to Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jon Tester (D-MT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Murphy (D-CT).
  • Since Sen. Menendez’s indictment, Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) contributed to Sen. Menendez this year from their PACs.

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SINCE 2000, SEN. MENENDEZ (D-NJ) HAS CONTRIBUTED TO FELLOW DEMOCRATS THROUGH HIS NEW MILLENIUM PAC

After Sen. Menendez Was Indicted, Democrats Began Considering What To Do With Contributions From His PAC

In 2000, Sen. Menendez Formed The New Millennium PAC To Contribute To Fellow Candidates. “Since forming his New Millennium leadership PAC 15 years ago, New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez has given generously to boost incumbents in tough races, Hispanic candidates and Garden State politicians.” (Tarini Parti, “Dems Eye Menendez Money Warily,” Politico , 4/9/15)

Following Sen. Menendez’s Indictment, Democrats Began Taking A Look At The Money They Received From Sen. Menendez’s New Millennium PAC. “But in the aftermath of scathing 68-page federal bribery indictment, some Democrats are taking a hard look at money they received from New Millennium and from the Florida eye doctor charged along with the senator.” (Tarini Parti, “Dems Eye Menendez Money Warily,” Politico , 4/9/15)

According To Politico, Sen. Menendez Contributed An Average Of $275,000 Per Election Cycle In Direct Contributions To Candidates. “The senator alone pumped an average of $275,000 per election cycle in direct contributions to candidates.” (Tarini Parti, “Dems Eye Menendez Money Warily,” Politico , 4/9/15)

SEN. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ) SAID HE DID NOT INTEND TO RETURN MONEY HE RECEIVED FROM SEN. MENENDEZ

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

In The 2014 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2014 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Booker Senate Victory. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Booker Said He Did Not Intend To Return The Money He Received From Sen. Menendez. “Sen. Cory Booker’s campaign does not intend to return funds received from a political action committee associated with indicted Sen. Robert Menendez, an aide to Booker told BuzzFeed News. Booker, a New Jersey Democrat like Menendez, received $5,000 for his campaign from Menendez’s New Millennium PAC during the 2014 election cycle, according to FEC records. ‘The campaign has no plans to return the contributions,’ a spokesperson from Booker’s campaign told BuzzFeed News.” (Christopher Massie, “Cory Booker Campaign Will Keep Robert Menendez Money,” Buzzfeed , 4/7/15)

A NUMBER OF SENATORS WHO SEN. MENENDEZ CONTRIBUTED TO HAVE NOT RETURNED THE FUNDS

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

In The 2018 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/7/17)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/7/17)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $15,000 To Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/7/16)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $15,000 To Gillibrand For Congress. ( Center For Responsive Politics , Accessed 8/29/17)

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $7,500 To Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $2,500 To Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

In The 2018 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

In The 2018 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2006 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Stabenow For U.S. Senate. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $2,500 To Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)

In The 2014 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)

In The 2018 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)

In The 2018 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). ( Federal Election Commission, Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $2,500 To Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)

In The 2008 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Al Franken (D-MN). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

In The 2014 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2008 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $12,500 To Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)

In The 2014 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 8/29/17)

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)

In The 2014 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2008 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI)

In The 2014 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $2,500 To Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM)

In The 2014 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $3,000 To Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2008 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $7,500 To Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)

In The 2014 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2008 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). ( Center For Responsive Politics , Accessed 8/29/17)

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

In The 2016 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $30,000 To The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. ( Center For Responsive Politics , Accessed 8/29/17)

In The 2014 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $15,000 To The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. ( Center For Responsive Politics , Accessed 8/29/17)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $15,000 To The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. ( Center For Responsive Politics , Accessed 8/29/17)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $30,000 To The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. ( Center For Responsive Politics , Accessed 8/29/17)

In The 2008 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $30,000 To The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. ( Center For Responsive Politics , Accessed 8/29/17)

In The 2006 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $15,000 To The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. ( Center For Responsive Politics , Accessed 8/29/17)

A NUMBER OF SENATORS’ PACS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SEN. MENENDEZ, EVEN AFTER HE WAS INDICTED

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

In The 2016 Election Cycle, Sen. Chuck Schumer’s IMPACT Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

In The 2018 Election Cycle, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s Empire PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, Sen. Gillibrand’s Empire PAC Contributed $2,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)

In The 2018 Election Cycle, Sen. Tim Kaine’s Common Ground PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

In The 2018 Election Cycle, Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s Nutmeg PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, Sen. Blumenthal’s Nutmeg PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

In The 2018 Election Cycle, Sen. Jeff Merkley’s Climate Champions PAC Contributed $2,500 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)

In The 2018 Election Cycle, Sen. Gary Peters’s Motor City PAC Contributed $1,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)

In The 2012 Cycle, Sen. Chris Coons’s Blue Hen PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Menendez . ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/7)

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, Sen. Jack Reed’s Naragansett Bay PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

  • In 2015, Menendez For Senate Returned $2,500 To Narragansett Bay PAC For “Void Stale Check Dated 12/23/2011.” ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, Sen. Tom Udall’s Southwest Leadership Fund Contributed $7,500 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , 9/8/17)

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, Sen. Mark Warner’s Forward Together PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, Sen. Warner’s Forward Together PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD)

In The 2012, Election Cycle, Sen. Ben Cardin’s LEGPAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Menendez . ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, Sen. Bob Casey’s Keystone America PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, Sen. Martin Heinrich’s LOBO PAC Contributed $2,500 To Sen. Menendez . ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, Sen. Tom Carper’s First State PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Menendez. ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/8/17)

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, Sen. Patrick Leahy’s Green Mountain PAC Contributed $10,000. ( Federal Election Committee , Accessed 9/8/17)

SOME SENATORS SAID THEY WOULD WAIT FOR MENENDEZ’S TRIAL TO CONCLUDE BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO RETURN HIS MONEY OR NOT

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

In The 2014 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2008 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $7,500 To Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Shaheen Said She Would Await The Outcome Of Menendez’s Trial To Decide Whether She Would Return His Contribution. “On Friday, BuzzFeed News reported that New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s campaign would wait for the end of his trial to decide what to do with its Menendez money.” (Christopher Massie, “Cory Booker Campaign Will Keep Robert Menendez Money,” Buzzfeed , 4/7/15)

  • In 2008, Sen. Shaheen Called On Her Opponent To Return Campaign Contributions Received From Indicted Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, Before Stevens’ Trial. “In 2008, Shaheen called on her opponent John Sununu to return money his campaign received from indicted Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, before Stevens’ trial.” (Christopher Massie, “Cory Booker Campaign Will Keep Robert Menendez Money,” Buzzfeed , 4/7/15)

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Baldwin Said She Would Await The Outcome Of Menendez’s Trial To Decide Whether She Would Return His Contribution. “A spokesman for the Wisconsin Democrat said Baldwin will wait to see the outcome of the Menendez case. ‘Senator Baldwin believes the charges against Senator Menendez are serious but that everyone is innocent until proven guilty and he is entitled to his day in court,’ said John Kraus, communications director for Baldwin.” (Daniel Bice, “Tammy Baldwin Not Returning Money >From Indicted Fellow Senator,” Journal-Sentinel [Milwaukee] , 4/26/15)

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

In The 2018 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $10,000 To Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2012 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

In The 2010 Election Cycle, New Millennium PAC Contributed $5,000 To Jon Tester (D-MT). ( Federal Election Commission , Accessed 9/6/17)

Sen. Tester Said He Would Await The Outcome Of Menendez’s Trial To Decide Whether He Would Return His Contribution. “Sen. Jon Tester will await the outcome of criminal corruption charges against Sen. Robert Menendez before deciding whether to keep $10,000 he received from a political action committee associated with the New Jersey Democrat.” (Christopher Doering, “Tester Will Wait Before Deciding On Returning Money,” Great Falls Tribune , 4/6/15)

 

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