No wonder the Biden regime blocked the Keystone pipeline in favor of the Russian’s Nordstrom project.
A major Democratic donor and Nord Stream 2 lobbyist has made maximum campaign contributions this year to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and vulnerable Senate Democrats, campaign finance records show.
Why it matters: If pressure from the White House to vote against reimposing sanctions on the Russia-backed natural gas pipeline weren’t enough, Democrats who back such legislation also will be at loggerheads with one of their party’s top fundraisers.
Driving the news: Vincent Roberti, a former Connecticut state representative, has given the legal maximum of $5,800 to Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Patty Murray (Wash.).
- He’s also given $2,900 — the maximum primary contribution — to Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H).
- Both Cortez Masto and Hassan face competitive reelection fights next year.
- Roberti’s firm, Roberti Global, has been paid $8.5 million for its Nord Stream 2 lobbying work, according to lobbying disclosure records.
Between the lines: Roberti has long been a prolific Democratic fundraiser, as well as a regular donor.
- According to his company bio, he retains honorary titles at the Democrats’ House and Senate campaign arms — titles reserved for their top financial backers.
- He’s also donated to each of these senators in past cycles while working for the pipeline.
……The big picture: President Biden’s decision to let Nord Stream 2 move forward — as well as its efforts to block a Nord Stream 2 sanctions amendment from being attached to Congress’ annual defense bill — has sparked a fierce fight on Capitol Hill.
That, in turn, has thrust the Senate’s potential vote into the spotlight.
Republicans have blocked dozens of Biden’s foreign-policy nominees in response to the administration’s actions.
They’re also threatening to block the National Defense Authorization Act if Schumer doesn’t agree to put the sanctions amendment on the floor.