When Bill Clinton was president in the 1990s, he invited dozens of donors to spend the night at the White House. The practice provoked considerable controversy, but continues to pay dividends his wife, now running to occupy the Oval Office.

The Center for Public Integrity reports that more than half of the donors it first identified as participants in what it called the “Fat Cat Hotel” two decades ago have contributed to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. “Of the 66 original ‘Fat Cats’ still living, 34 have donated a total of $1.15 million to Hillary Clinton’s campaign or the super PACs supporting her since January 2013,” Liz Essley Whyte wrote. Most of the 34 individuals gave Hillary Clinton’s campaign $2,700, the maximum allowed under federal law during the primaries.

The guest list includes former Florida state Representative Dick Batchelor, who helped raise money for Bill Clinton going back to 1991.

Batchelor told the Center that he “would absolutely go back” if invited again, this time by Hillary Clinton, assuming she wins next year. “Last time I stayed in the Queen’s Bedroom, so I need to be upgraded to the Lincoln Bedroom,” he said. “I have no idea whether that would take place or not, but anybody who says they don’t want to visit the White House and spend the night is probably not telling the truth.”

A total of 938 guests stayed at the White House during Bill Clinton’s first term, according to records the Clinton administration released in 1997.

Only 284 stayed at the White House during President George H. W. Bush’s term in office from 1989 to 1993.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Clinton White House Sleepover Guests Still Writing Checks (by Liz Essley Whyte, Center for Public Integrity)

Lincoln Bedroom Donors (Center for Public Integrity)

The Perks of Being a Donor to the Presidential Winner (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)