Bart Stupak C Street Controversy: Michigan Congressman’s Secret Fellowship Connection

In 2009, Michigan Congressman Bart Stupak found himself at the center of a national controversy when questions arose about his residence at the C Street House, a Washington D.C. property owned by a secretive Christian organization known as “The Family” or “The Fellowship.” The revelation connected the Democratic representative to a network that had already been linked to several political scandals.

Who Was Bart Stupak?

Bartholomew Thomas Stupak, born February 29, 1952, served as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Michigan’s 1st congressional district from 1993 to 2011. Before entering politics, Stupak worked as a Michigan State Police trooper and later as a lawyer. He represented the vast Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, one of the largest congressional districts east of the Mississippi River.

The C Street House and “The Family”

The C Street Center is an 8,000 square foot, 12-bedroom mansion located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The property is owned and operated by a Christian organization variously known as “The Family,” “The Fellowship,” or “The Fellowship Foundation.” The organization operates the property as a tax-exempt church while providing housing for several members of Congress.

The Family gained notoriety in 2009 when author Jeff Sharlet published his book exposing the organization’s secretive nature and its influence on American politics. The group hosts the annual National Prayer Breakfast and maintains connections to political leaders around the world.

The Scandal Erupts

The C Street house became infamous in 2009 when several residents were implicated in personal scandals:

• Senator John Ensign (R-Nevada) – Admitted to an extramarital affair with a campaign staffer
• Governor Mark Sanford (R-South Carolina) – Revealed his affair with an Argentine woman
• Former Representative Chip Pickering (R-Mississippi) – Sued by his ex-wife over an alleged affair conducted at C Street

As the scandals unfolded, reporters began investigating all residents of the C Street house, including Stupak, the house’s most prominent Democratic member.

Stupak’s Denials and Contradictions

When questioned about his connection to The Family, Stupak initially denied any involvement beyond simply renting a room:

However, author Jeff Sharlet, who had lived with The Family and written extensively about the organization, contradicted Stupak’s claims. Sharlet stated that Stupak had much greater involvement with the group than he admitted:

The Cedars is another property owned by The Family that hosts weekly prayer events for members of Congress and other political figures.

The Rent Controversy

One of the most significant issues raised about C Street residents was the below-market rent they paid for their accommodations. Members of Congress living at C Street reportedly paid only $600 per month for rent — a fraction of what comparable housing in the Capitol Hill area would cost.

Critics argued that this arrangement could constitute an unreported gift or subsidy, potentially violating congressional ethics rules. The tax-exempt status of the property as a “church” also raised questions about the separation of church and state.

Connection to Healthcare Debate

The C Street controversy took on additional significance during the 2009-2010 healthcare reform debate. Stupak was described as one of C Street’s top Democratic members during this period, and he played a crucial role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

Stupak expressed support for President Obama’s healthcare reform bill but demanded restrictions on abortion coverage. He and Republican Congressman Joseph Pitts submitted the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which prohibited the use of federal funds for abortion coverage in the new healthcare exchanges.

The amendment passed the House but was ultimately not included in the final version of the ACA. However, Stupak negotiated an executive order from President Obama affirming existing restrictions on federal abortion funding before voting for the bill.

Aftermath

Stupak’s office eventually confirmed that he moved out of the C Street house at the end of December 2009, amid the ongoing controversy. In April 2010, Stupak announced he would not seek re-election, citing the prior months as “prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior prior” difficult but adding that the decision was not due to controversy but rather exhaustion from the healthcare fight.

Legacy and Significance

The C Street controversy highlighted the often-hidden connections between religion and politics in Washington. It raised important questions about:

• The influence of secretive religious organizations on American politics
• Ethics rules regarding gifts and subsidized housing for members of Congress
• The tax-exempt status of properties used for political networking
• Transparency in the activities of elected officials

While Stupak was never personally implicated in any scandal, his connection to C Street became a symbol of the murky intersection between faith, power, and politics in the nation’s capital.