Extortion: How Politicians Extract Your Money, Buy Votes, and Line Their Own Pockets

Washington is no longer about lawmaking, it’s about moneymaking

Conventional wisdom holds that Washington is broken because outside special interests bribe politicians. The reverse is true: politicians have developed a new set of brass-knuckle legislative tactics designed to extort wealthy industries and donors into forking over big donations — cash that lawmakers often funnel into the pockets of their friends and family.

Inside this best-selling bombshell of a book, Schweizer reveals the exorbitant secret “fees” each political party charges politicians for top committee assignments; how fourteen members of Congress bagged hundreds of thousands of dollars using a little-known self-loan loophole; how politicians use PACs to bankroll lavish lifestyles; and much more. Washington’s extortion racket has gone unreported — until now.

• The Extortion Racket: Discover why the real problem in Washington isn’t bribery, but a system where politicians use legislative threats to shake down donors for cash and favors.
• Milker Bills and Tollbooths: Uncover the cynical tactics used to manufacture crises—from introducing bills designed only to generate donations to charging a “toll” for a critical vote to even take place.
• Campaign Finance Loopholes: Follow the money as Schweizer exposes how members of Congress legally funnel donations into their own pockets, pay family members, and use PACs to bankroll lavish lifestyles.
• Naming Names: Based on meticulous research, this exposé goes beyond theory to identify the powerful figures in both parties who profit from the system.