Machiavelli Would Love This Plot Twist From Banks’ Washington Book Club
- Monthly Capitol Hill gathering doubles as political fundraiser
- Hensarling said to schedule events for out-of-favor lawmakers
A biker rides past the U.S. Capitol , October 14, 2013 in Washington, DC.
Photographer: Mark Wilson/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
U.S. Representative Jeb Hensarling seems to have been brushing up on his Machiavelli when he set the agenda for his book club this year.
The private event, which is run by the chairman of the Financial Services Committee, is a little-known fundraising vehicle where lobbyists for Wall Street banks, insurance companies and accounting firms gather monthly to discuss literature with a Republican panel member. The designated lawmaker picks the book and pulls in the day’s haul, which attendees estimate is often in the $60,000 to $80,000 range.