Speaker Scraps Fundraiser for Next Week As Shutdown Nears (2)

Speaker Mike Johnson canceled a fundraising dinner planned for Oct. 8, and an online sign-up page for the event was taken down Tuesday evening, shortly after Bloomberg Government reported on it.

Greg Steele, a spokesman for the Louisiana Republican, said the event had been canceled Tuesday. He also said the speaker “will not be holding fundraising events during a shutdown.”

The cancellation came just a few hours after Republican fundraiser Ashlee Reid Morehouse of Republic Strategies sent an email listing more than 50 campaign events over the coming months for a variety of GOP lawmakers, according to the emailed invitation obtained by Bloomberg Government. The list was arranged in order of date with the Johnson event at the top and planned for Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.

Morehouse did not respond to requests for comment.

Johnson told his conference to pause fundraising events, according to another member of Congress.

A link to sign up for the Johnson event on Oct. 8 solicited suggested donations up to $30,000 and asked attendees to please “make us aware of any special requests, allergies, dietary restrictions, or other important notes.” It said the location for the dinner would be provided upon request.

The email was sent to K Street lobbyists and donors Tuesday, according to one lobbyist.

The list included other events for Republicans. It’s unclear how long a shutdown might last so the government could be re-opened when the events are scheduled to take place.

Fundraising a Flashpoint

Even so, political fundraising has become a flashpoint this week with the shutdown expected Wednesday.

House Majority PAC and other Democratic groups targeted Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) for holding a campaign event Tuesday at Washington restaurant Capital Grille, after Bloomberg Government reported on the fundraiser earlier in the day.

Democrats and Republicans had numerous events on the calendar for October, and many are likely to be scrapped or the lawmakers will skip and instead send senior aides, lobbyists said.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), who is considered a vulnerable incumbent by the House Democratic campaign arm, scheduled a Wednesday fundraiser at Virginia’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, with a contribution of $2,500 per player, according to invitations to lobbyists. Suozzi’s spokesperson and a fundraising organizer did not respond to a request Tuesday about whether the event was still on.

A number of Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Stephen Lynch(D-Mass.), had breakfast events on the calendar for Tuesday, according to a roundup of upcoming fundraisers.