One thing becomes clear right away when a person visits the web site of the Capitol Hill Club: The club is not open to people like you. It’s a place for Republican members of Congress to hide away from constituents and average citizens, so that they can make political deals with the rich and powerful. The club is for “the nation’s most influential people”. Ordinary folks are welcome to stand outside, of course, so long as they stay on the sidewalk.

“Banquets, parties and receptions are the Capitol Hill Club’s specialty,” explains the web site. These parties aren’t casual events to allow members of Congress to unwind, either. They’re opportunities for members of Congress seal special back room deals with lobbyists for special interest groups.

Consider, as an example, the special luncheon that was hosted on behalf of Mary Bono Mack at the Capitol Hill Club back in June. The luncheon was set up by Janet Bain, who, though not a registered lobbyist herself, serves an important role in the world in which lobbyists work. Bain is a “fundraising consultant”, a political professional who specializes in setting up parties where lobbyists can meet with members of Congress, and hand large amounts of money to the politicians in compensation for their consideration of legislative issues that are important the lobbyists’ clients.

The luncheon Janet Bain set up for Mary Bono Mack was just that sort of event. Not just anyone could show up for the lunch, of course. The price of the lunch was 1,000 dollars – with a lot more for sale than just a few nibbles on a plate. Lobbyists working for political action committees could gain special access to Representative Bono Mack by paying an extra amount: 2,000 dollars.

Because the Capitol Hill Club is owned by Republicans and operated for the benefit of a Republican-only membership, politicians like Mary Bono Mack don’t need to worry about scrutiny of their contacts with lobbyists at parties held at the facility. Bono Mack’s particular luncheon there in June was so profitable that she held another Capitol Hill Club party a couple of weeks later, also arranged by Janet Bain. The theme of this second luncheon was ““Specialty Physicians and Dentists” – and it came just as Republican members of Congress like Mary Bono Mack began a particularly strong push to resist efforts at meaningful health care reform.

At this second lunch for lobbyists, checks for 5,000 dollars, payable to the Mary Bono Mack Committee, were accepted from the power brokers in attendance.