Illegal? Legal? Oftentimes the difference between those is only what some special interest group has managed to push past a legislative body. In some cases the “push” amounts to how much $$$ can be brought to bear (re: Sen. Mary Landreau.) I think I prefer the couth/uncouth differentiation. YMMV.
Unfortunately, for us the taxpayers, the “pay offs for votes” is quite common. Unfortunately. In both parties.