Rep.
The Texas Democrat invited lobbyists and business political action committee donors to a mid-July fundraiser at L’Auberge Del Mar, a luxury hotel in southern California, and the nearby Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, according to an invitation to lobbyists.
Donations will go to Veasey’s leadership PAC, Making A Real Change, or MARC, PAC.
His leadership PAC held about $36,000 as of March 31, Federal Election Commission disclosures show, with some donations that month coming from the PACs of
“As a senior member of the Democratic Caucus, he’s building his leadership PAC because he knows that winning back the House in 2026 requires serious investment now—in candidates, in organizing, and in the infrastructure to compete everywhere,” spokesperson Ahmed Elsayed said by email. “Marc Veasey will do everything in his power to make sure Democrats get this done, and this is him putting his money where his mouth is.”
Lawmakers who aren’t running for reelection can’t raise money for campaign committees, but they’re allowed to solicit cash for leadership PACs, separate funds for doling out to colleagues and party committees.
But there’s a catch: If they have any leftover money, they can take it with them. Leadership PAC funds have few restrictions for ex-lawmakers, campaign finance lawyers say.
Lobbyists and corporations sometimes balk at giving out money—or do so begrudgingly—to departing members, who could become competitors on K Street within months. But donations can offer valuable time with someone still in office.
Veasey isn’t the only departing lawmaker hitting up lobbyists and corporate denizens who have business before Congress.
Sen.
“Rep. Nehls wants to continue to stay involved in politics after his retirement from Congress, and help good, conservative candidates across the country,” spokesperson Emily Matthews said in an email.
Lobbyists and other contributors who get asked for donations by departing lawmakers still working on legislation of consequence to corporate America and advocacy groups said it can be a way for current members to leverage their position in office to round up money to help vulnerable candidates.
Former lawmakers are prohibited from using leftover funds in their campaign committees for personal use, but leadership PACs don’t have such restrictions, said Michael Toner, a former FEC chairman, who co-chairs the election law and government ethics practice at Wiley. They can use the leadership PAC funds for anything legal, but the money is subject to taxation.
Tougher Sell
Donating to someone leaving Congress is a tougher sell than giving to politicians seeking to stay in office, lobbyists said.
“It’s a harder question than somebody who’s running for reelection,” said lobbyist Rich Gold, a partner at Holland & Knight. “This really takes it to the next step of asking, ‘Have we always found this person to be credible and effective, and are they continuing to work and running through the tape?’”
Gold said decisions are “member specific” as some could be “just looking to increase their own political resources as they plan for whatever comes next for them.”
Departing members can hand donations to their colleagues as they head out the door, or they can hold onto the money and use it if they go into lobbying or advocacy gigs.
“It certainly is something they have in their arsenal to smooth their way out of the Capitol,” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, a lobbying and corporate watchdog group.
After leaving office, ex-lawmakers can use their campaign committees to make donations to federal candidates and give unlimited sums to party committees and charities. Leadership PAC leftovers also can go to candidates and committees, with donation limits, and can be used for things that aren’t even political in nature, Toner said.
Leadership PACs are a frequent hub of donations from lobbyists and corporate-affiliated PACs. Donations offer lobbyists and others an extra bucket to give to lawmakers, and it’s the only option for those not running.
Face Time
Even someone leaving office “is a politician who is still in power,” said Michael Beckel, director of money in politics reform at Issue One. “The incentive for the donor is that they get to have face time with a member of Congress who is still in office and still helping set the agenda in Washington.”
Shaheen, a senator since 2009, is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations panel and serves on the Appropriations and Armed Services committees. Her leadership PAC, A New Direction PAC, had nearly $175,000 cash on hand as of March 31, according to FEC filings.
She disclosed recent donations from lobbyists Ed Pagano, a partner at Akin Gump, and Maura Keefe, her former chief of staff, with Keefe Singiser Partners. The PACs of Akin Gump, RTX Corp.,
Shaheen’s leadership PAC has donated to party committees and candidates, including the Senate campaign of Rep.
The leadership PAC also disclosed about $47,000 in operating expenditures in the first quarter of this year, including for political and fundraising strategy and compliance services, according to FEC filings.