Congress 'Abandons Ethics' on Crypto, Not AIPAC Cash
The Hill published an opinion piece lamenting Congress's 'abandonment of centuries-old ethics lessons' in its push for crypto regulations. The author frets about lawmakers potentially enriching themselves or their associates through digital asset legislation. While ethical concerns in Congress are certainly valid, one might wonder why this sudden concern surfaces over crypto, a relatively new
lobby, and not the decades-long, well-documented influence of groups like AIPAC. For instance, according to OpenSecrets.org data, AIPAC's spending for lobbying and contributions to members of Congress consistently runs into the millions annually, with specific politicians receiving hundreds of thousands. These donations frequently precede or coincide with votes on substantial military aid packages
to Israel. It seems 'centuries-old ethics lessons' only apply when the money trail isn't flowing from a highly effective, decades-old foreign policy lobby with bipartisan support. Perhaps the 'abandonment of ethics' is less about crypto's novelty and more about the media's willingness to critique certain forms of influence, while others remain sacrosanct.