K Street has donated $103M since 1998

More proof of the symbiotic relationship between K Street and Capitol Hill: a government watchdog found that lobbyists and their PACs have contributed at least $103 million to the campaigns of members of Congress since 1998.

Public Citizen called their review the first comprehensive effort to match lobbyists with campaign contribution data. It said its estimate is nearly double a previous estimate done by another watchdog group.

The group found that contributions from lobbyists are on the rise: $33.9 million in 2004, compared with $17.8 million in 2000.

Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook said the information reveals the "seamier side of Washington."

The report is available at www.citizen.org.