Pay-to-play

Pay-to-play is the conditioning of government access, contracts, or favorable action on political contributions or related transfers of value. Concrete forms include solicitation of campaign contributions in proximity to pending official decisions, the channeling of contractors toward party-affiliated PACs, and the use of inaugural committees or transition entities as conduits for access. Lawful political contributions made openly and without quid pro quo are ordinary; the abuse is the linkage between the contribution and the official action.