A federal criminal investigation has touched two House Dems, and another three, along with two Republicans, are under scrutiny by a pair of congressional ethics panels in matters related to the defunct lobbying firm, PMA Group.

The investigation appears to have two focal points, according to reports: that PMA may have funneled sham donations to members of Congress through so-called “straw donors” who would be reimbursed, and that there may have been a quid pro quo, exchanging defense earmarks for campaign donations.

All that sounds terrifically sleazy, and Justin wonders why none of this has apparently stuck to the Democratic Congress. (“PMA isn’t yet the Dems’ Jack Abramoff, but it is certainly worth following closely.”) Me, I just want to make the crucial Bad Brains reference, over and over and over.