Fact-Checking Congressman Blunt's Answers on Fox News Interview

Strategic Insights -

Missouri Democratic Party released fact-checks on Congressman Blunt's statements in a Fox News interview, raising questions about his credibility and influence of lobbyists on his legislative decisions. The fact-checks highlight discrepancies between Blunt's public statements and his actual actions as a congressman. The controversy has sparked a debate about the role of money in politics and the potential for conflicts of interest.

Key Takeaways:

  • Congressman Blunt's committees paid Alexander Strategy Group $470,485 from 1999 to 2002 for fundraising and consulting services, contradicting his statement that the figure was "absolutely not accurate."
  • Blunt's involvement in pushing legislation beneficial to clients of his lobbyist wife, Abigail Perlman, and lobbyist son, Andrew Blunt, raises serious questions about the influence lobbyists exert on lawmakers.
  • Blunt named one of 13 most corrupt members of Congress in 2005 by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) due to his alleged misuse of his position for the benefit of his family.
  • Blunt's wife, Abigail Perlman, is a successful tobacco lobbyist, working for Philip Morris, which is a direct conflict of interest given Blunt's role in shaping tobacco regulation policies.
  • Blunt's actions demonstrate a reckless disregard for the legislative process, as evidenced by the removal of a tobacco provision from a homeland security bill due to lack of vetting and approval.

Statistics:

  • Congressman Blunt's committees paid Alexander Strategy Group $470,485 from 1999 to 2002.
  • 13 out of 13 members of Congress were named as most corrupt by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) in 2005, with Blunt being one of them.
  • 2 tobacco provisions were inserted and later removed from a homeland security bill in 2003 due to lack of vetting.
  • 1 House leadership position, House Republican Whip, was held by Blunt in 2003.

Sources:

  • Missouri Democratic Party
  • Public Citizen (January 2006)
  • Gannet News Service (10/19/02)
  • Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW, 2005)
  • Roll Call (9/8/03)
  • Altria Mid-Year 2007 Filing, House Lobbying Disclosure Database
  • New York Times (Op-Ed, 10/9/05)