Back-scratch Fever

When Tom DeLay scratches your back, he usually expects a full-body, deep-tissue massage in return.

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Below, a look at how well some congressional Republicans learned from the master, based on how much they took from DeLay’s Americans for a Republican Majority PAC and how much they pitched in when he got into legal hot water. Illustration by Erik T. Johnson.

 

Members of Congress

Amount received from DeLay’s PAC

Amount given to DeLay’s legal defense fund

Leader’s Pets

Rep. John Doolittle (Calif.)

$4,355

$10,000

Ex-Rep. Billy Tauzin (La.)

$10,000

$15,000

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (Calif.)

$5,000

 

$5,000

Rep. Henry Bonilla (Texas)

$20,000

$15,000

Bet Hedgers

Rep. Tom Feeny (Fla.)

$10,000

$5,000

Rep. Kenny Marchant (Texas)

$10,000

$5,000

Rep. Jo Bonner (Ala.)

$10,000

$5,000

Yellow-Bellied Ingrates

Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (Fla.)

$20,000

$1,000

Rep. Jim Ryun (Kan.)

$25,000

$1,000

Rep. Bob Beauprez (Colo.)

$30,000

$1,000

Rep. Rob Simmons (Conn.)

$39,500

$1,000

Rep. Robin Hayes (N.C.)

$39,722

$1,000

All figures 2000-2005. Sources: Public Citizen, Center for Responsive Politics

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