Incoming freshmen in Congress get quick infusion of corporate cash

Nine days after the election, Honeywell International’s PAC sent $2,500 to Florida Democrat Gwen Graham after she unseated Republican incumbent Steve Southerland. Honeywell, a manufacturer of fighter-jet parts and thermostats, sent $2,500 to Southerland in September 2013. It sent $5,000 to North Carolina Republican Thom Tillis a week after he ousted Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan, who received $1,500 from Honeywell’s PAC in February 2013.

The American Bankers Association made 15 political donations to incoming members of Congress, including Graham and Tillis, within eight days after the election. The bankers’ PAC gave $10,000 to Hagan before the 2014 election. North Carolina, a banking hub, is home to the headquarters of Bank of America Corp.

Blue Cross Blue Shield’s PAC also pivoted to refill Tillis’s coffers after previously aiding Hagan’s re-election campaign. The insurance company’s PAC sent Tillis a $5,000 debt retirement donation on November 24.

Goldman Sachs sent debt retirement donations to Cotton and Georgia Republican David Perdue two weeks after they won their Senate races. Goldman’s PAC donated to Pryor three times during the 2014 campaign, including as recently as October 15. It also donated to Cotton before he announced his Senate campaign, in his capacity as a member of the House.

Clearly, political contributions remain the currency of doing business in Washington.