Investigative documentary film-maker Robert Greenwald (Uncovered, Outfoxed) recently announced that his company, Brave New Films, has picked up distribution rights for a new film by independent Texas film-makers Mark Birnbaum and Jim Schermbeck—The Big Buy: How Tom DeLay Stole Congress. Reported to be the result of over three years of self-financed film-making and investigation into Texas Representative, and former Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s political/financial network, The Big Buy endeavors to reveal more of the full extent of corruption and criminal behavior surrounding DeLay, some of which has already begun trickling to the surface of public attention partly as a result of the congressman’s recent criminal indictment in Texas.

             “We have been distraught and furious as the revelations of corruption in Congress have unfolded,” Greenwald explained in a news release about how he came upon Birnbaum and Schermbeck’s work. “The size and scope of this corruption, and its impact on all our lives, is enormous. So, of course, several months ago we began to discuss doing a film on the topic. Then, to our great relief and pleasure, we found that two very talented guys from Texas ... were close to finishing a documentary [that] connects the dots between corporate power, dirty money elections, and corruption. One thing quickly led to another....”

             As with his own films, Greenwald is beginning distribution of the documentary on DVD, and organizing grassroots screenings to get the ball rolling, with aims of increasing awareness about the significance of DeLay’s alleged role in escalating “a culture of corruption” in the American Congress.

             “The Big Buy reveals exactly how and why large corporations have used Tom DeLay to advance their national agendas of greed,” Greenwald stated. “They've supported him with barrels of money, which ultimately led to the re-districting that gave Republicans dominance in the House of Representatives. This dominance led to the passage of CAFTA, the Energy Bill, and federal budgets which have helped DeLay and his corporate supporters at the expense of all of us.

             "While DeLay is from Texas," Greenwald added, "his corrupt practices are a national issue. The film-makers, with their deep roots in Texas, have keyed in on that state's political culture. However, DeLay's corrupt practices are not specific to the Lone Star State, and this film should be seen as a warning to all of us. As Ronnie Earle says in the film, ‘It's not about Democrats and Republicans; it's about cops and robbers.’”

             The Big Buy can be previewed and pre-ordered at: www.tomdelaymovie.com.