To an increasing extent, sources of unethical Congressional campaign contributions are many lobbyists-- the same people who, in their normal line of work, consult lawmakers on issues up for legislation. According to a May 22, 2006 Public Citizen report, one way lobbyists contribute financially is directly to campaigns-- since 1998 individual lobbyists have donated at least $103.1 million to Congresspeople (most if not all of whom would be running for re-election.) Joan Claybrook, President of Public Citizen, notes "the campaign contributions lobbyists make from their own checkbooks, while significant, are just a fraction of the equation. This report also reveals that top lobbyist contributors coordinate lucrative fund-raisers for the lawmakers they hope to influence and bring in a steady stream of contributions from their corporate clients far greater than they alone give.”

Their report recommends publicly financing campaigns as the only real remedy to abuses and scandals. Public funding would pay for itself by saving billions wasted in lobbyist-brokered corporate giveaways.

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