...Washington lobbyist Joe Muldoon said he decided to lead the effort because one Eller executive "is an old friend of my family." Mr. Muldoon said he spent most of January researching the issue, and began making visits to Capitol Hill at the end of that month. "I just wanted to educate folks," he said, and to warn lawmakers that this was a deal that "might just slip through the cracks."
Thank you so much for all of your links! It really is helping me dig through the pile of muck! It's interesting to see how the statements from those involved get more and more hysterical as time passes. Just like the link you sent about Muldoon contradicting himself about the port security. It's amazing how some of these companies can continue to operate despite embezzlement, bankruptcy, etc.
This quote says he went to congress in late January, but the republicans who were crying about this deal said they were "blindsided" by the approval in February.