‘Tis the season for joy, fundraising

Lobbyists will have plenty of opportunities to give this season – to lawmakers who are active on energy and environmental issues. And remember: cash not only makes a nice gift, under new ethics rules it is also the only gift lobbyists can give members for the holidays.

On Tuesday, Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is holding a fundraiser with “special guest” and chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). For $1,000, you can join the two for a VIP reception at Union Pub before their home state schools, Indiana University and the University of Maryland, do battle on the hardwood. Watching the actual game is much cheaper. That costs just $50.

House Natural Resources Committee member Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) is holding a breakfast for supporters on Wednesday at the National Democratic Club. Rep. Betty Sutton (D-Ohio), an Energy and Commerce member, is holding a reception that evening. (UPDATE: an aide to Sutton confirmed the event, but said the congresswoman doesn't accept money from lobbyists). The following night, its Rep. Bruce Braley’s (D-Iowa) turn. Braley is also a member of E&C.

Or you may want to save your money to join Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), another E&C member, at the Sonnenalp Resort of Vail from Jan. 8 to Jan. 11.

There are plenty of opportunities to give to the Republicans in your life too.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources panel, hosts a fundraising breakfast on Dec. 10 at Charlie Palmer. Or you could wait and get a place at Murkowski’s “Annual Iditarod Kick-off and Skiing Weekend” in Anchorage from March 6-8.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is holding a fundraising dinner at Oyamel on Tuesday. Tennessee’s senior senator and Environment & Public Works Committee member, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R), is having a lunch at Bistro Bis on Thursday. He’ll be joined by Howard Baker, a former Republican senator from Tennessee and chief of staff to President Ronald Reagan.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a big proponent of ethanol and big critic of climate change legislation, is holding a fundraising breakfast at Johnny’s Half Shell on Dec. 8. Meanwhile, the National Mining Association’s PAC is holding a breakfast for Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Agriculture Committee, on Dec. 8 at its offices.

And Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), a member of both the Agriculture and Finance committees, is hosting an “NYC Weekend” from Dec. 12-13. It costs $1,000 for individuals to attend.