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In the News
Original journalism from the Center's OpenSecrets News
Retired Reps. find new lobbying jobs with former campaign contributor
January 22, 2019 | Newly through the Revolving Door, former Reps Ileana Ros-Lehtinen & Lamar Smith got decades of campaign funds from their new employer, lobbying firm Akin Gump
The revolving career of Jon Kyl
December 14, 2018 | Kyl, who will leave his seat Dec. 31, has had a decorated career in both Congress and the lobbying world.
The usual suspects placed bets on this year's most competitive races
November 28, 2018 | Winning Democratic challengers and losing incumbent Republicans drew from very different sources of funding during the 2018 election.
Tax returns reveal one six-figure donor accounts for entirety of "dark money" funding Whitaker's nonprofit
November 21, 2018 | Tax documents reveal single six-figure donor accounting for 100 percent of "dark money" funding nonprofit run by acting Attorney General Matthew G. Whitaker.
The money behind GOP's meager House pickups
November 20, 2018 | Boosted by a late influx of media buys from outside groups, two Minnesota Republicans accounted for two of the GOP's three pickups in the House.
Major industries shift contributions from Republicans to Democrats ahead of election day
November 2, 2018 | Wall Street gave 71 percent of its $7.86 million in campaign contributions to Democrats in the most recent pre-general election FEC filing period.
Blue wave of money propels 2018 election to record-breaking $5.2 billion in spending
October 29, 2018 | The Center for Responsive Politics projects that more than $5.2 billion will be spent this cycle, making the 2018 midterms the most expensive ever.
August 28th sees some of the nation's most-watched contests come to a head in Florida and Arizona
August 22, 2018 | Voters in Florida and Arizona head to the polls on August 28th to choose nominees for a number of closely watched federal races.
AFSCME jumps into Florida Senate race
June 19, 2018 | One of the country's largest public-sector unions reported nearly $1 million in TV ad spending last week in support of Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, one of five vulnerable Democratic senators running for reelection.
Scam PACs line pockets by misleading donors
April 26, 2018 | They're hard to track and harder to regulate - "scam PACs" are what experts call a "know-it-if-you-see-it situation."
What's next for the youngest House speaker to retire since the 1800s?
April 11, 2018 | Whether Ryan's just taking a break from politics or plans to start a new life in the private sector, the former vice presidential nominee who was once the up-and-coming face of the GOP likely isn't riding off into the Wisconsin sunset for good.
Retiring members of Congress have $50 million in their campaign coffers. Where will it go?
February 27, 2018 | The 42 members of Congress plan to retire or have already resigned ahead of November's midterm election, and their campaign committee war chests boast a combined $50 million cash-on-hand.
The effect of congressional retirements
February 13, 2018 | A look at the history of congressional retirement trends suggests Democrats have an opportunity to gain seats in the 2018 elections.
Trump's state in the eye of the Union
January 30, 2018 | What's to come in President Trump's first State of Union? Expect the phrase "America First." The name Gorsuch. And something will be "great."
DoD, military donors aid Democrats
November 10, 2017 | Department of Defense employees have given a greater percentage of their donations to Democrats so far this election cycle than they did under any Republican administration since at least George H.W. Bush's presidency. CRP's political donation data covers each year beginning in 1989 — the first year of the elder Bush's presidency — and comes…
Democrat outspends favorite in Utah special election
November 6, 2017 | Democrat Kathie Allen slightly outraised and outspent her Republican opponent in Utah's special election for the congressional seat vacated by Jason Chaffetz. Allen raised and spent more than $800,000 for Utah's 3rd Congressional District seat, a reliably conservative district that last chose a Democrat in 1994. Her opponent, Republican John Curtis, raised about $740,000 and…
Grant to Trump: How court cases influenced campaign finance
October 6, 2017 | When Ulysses S. Grant ran for president in 1868, he benefited from large contributions from wealthy entrepreneurs, such as railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt. "Never before was a candidate placed under such great obligation to men of wealth as was Grant," one historian said of Grant's donors' largesse. But if Grant was among the first presidents to…
Which states will break spending records this cycle?
September 25, 2017 | This month's special Senate election in Alabama has already been the target of more outside spending than any congressional race in the state's history. By the time the final FEC reports are filed, it will likely be the state's record-holder in candidate spending, too. In 2016, nine states saw their most expensive congressional election ever.…
What does the 2018 election hold for House leadership?
July 31, 2017 | The Center will soon be updating web pages for members to include 2018 cycle data. As a preview of what's coming, here are some preliminary numbers for House leaders Paul Ryan and Nancy Pelosi. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House. Ryan is clearly popular with Wall Street – his candidate committee…
Murray Energy bucks coal mining trend with record giving in 2016
February 28, 2017 | President Donald Trump wasted little time attending to one of his constituencies: Less than a month after taking office, and surrounded by applauding coal miners and a few friendly members of Congress, he put the knife in an Obama-era regulation barring coal mine waste from being dumped in waterways. And Trump is said to have more…
Leftover campaign cash can signal future plans
February 10, 2017 | The money candidates raise and spend during the heat of a campaign are pretty good predictors of the outcome. In 2016, for instance, the candidate who spent more won in 94 percent of Senate contests and 96 percent of House races. But now that Election Day has come and gone, another set of figures can…
HHS pick has one of worst campaign disclosure records in Congress
January 9, 2017 | Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), Donald Trump's pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, has come under fire for buying and selling shares companies in the health care industry whose fortunes he could affect through his perch in Congress, and for intervening with regulators on behalf of some of his donors in the…
Zinke's nomination could bring questions about super PAC ties
December 14, 2016 | After much speculation about which oilman or pro-development donor would get the nod to run the Interior Department, multiple news sources have reported President-elect Donald Trump has picked Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke (R). Having been a U.S. Navy SEAL from 1986 to 2008 and a Montana state senator from 2009 to 2011, Zinke is a relative…
Rick Perry, with multiple ties to CEO of controversial pipeline project, tapped for Energy Dept.
December 13, 2016 | The Dakota Access Pipeline protesters just got a new reason to keep their Standing Rock encampment intact: former Texas governor and two-time presidential candidate Rick Perry, tapped today by President-elect Donald Trump to head his Energy Department. Never mind that Perry — who now becomes the second of Trump's competitors named to his Cabinet (Ben…
Challengers who bested incumbents reaped $70,000 in post-election funds
December 9, 2016 | The 2016 election is over. Ballots have been cast, and (most) federal candidates know the outcome of their hard-fought races. Yet company PACs and even individuals are still writing checks to candidates' campaign committees, even though the campaigns they're funding are done. "Giving after the election clearly shows the donation is not given to support…
Carson's cash: Highly conservative interests have fueled his campaign and kept food on the table
December 6, 2016 | No (public) experience required. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson has been tapped to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, despite never holding public office in his career. (Even Carson admitted he would be a "fish out of water" as a federal bureaucrat a few weeks back.) However, since the former director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins did run…
Giving by Americans abroad tilts distinctly leftward
November 29, 2016 | Democratic House Speaker Tip O'Neill famously claimed that "all politics is local." True, but it's increasingly global as well — especially for the roughly 5.7 million U.S. citizens living outside the nation's borders. Whatever the reason for their travels, Americans abroad can and do participate in politics and give to campaigns. The Federal Voting Assistance…
No Secretary of State prospect donated to Trump
November 16, 2016 | Update Dec. 14: President-elect Trump tapped ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson. For background on his political contributions, click here. We continue our series on the money-in-politics histories of candidates for Donald Trump's future Cabinet by looking at those who have been mentioned as possibilities to run the State Department. (See our earlier analyses on prospects for…
Pentagon pick could have deep influence on Trump
November 15, 2016 | Updated Nov. 16. Update Dec. 1. President-elect Donald Trump chose retired Marine Gen. James N. Mattis as Secretary of Defense. President-elect Donald Trump has made inflammatory comments about some of the nation's current or possible defense policies. He has hinted at a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, supported use of nuclear weapons, called NATO…
Following the money of Trump's Treasury hopefuls
November 14, 2016 | Update Nov. 30: President-elect Donald Trump selected Steven Mnunchin as his Treasury Secretary. Read on for more information or see summary data on his contributions here. New administration, new Cabinet members. President-elect Donald Trump has already begun picking out his crew, but so far, his two concrete choices did not donate a penny to Trump's election…
Members of the military giving three times as much to Clinton as to Trump
November 4, 2016 | Active and retired members of the military have been showing far more support for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton than for her Republican rival, at least as measured by the checks they've written to her campaign. Individuals who listed their employers as the U.S. Department of Defense or major branches of the military, or who…
Total cost of 2016 election could reach $6.6 billion, CRP predicts
October 25, 2016 | Note: Please see our updated prediction of the cost of the 2016 election. Is 2016 the Year of the Billionaire when it comes to financing the election? There are plenty in the mix. And they've helped fuel what is turning out to be the most expensive election ever. The Center for Responsive Politics projects that candidates,…
Lobbyists, campaign cash help drug industry stymie bid to restrain Medicare prescription costs
October 19, 2016 | When the Republican-controlled Congress approved a landmark program in 2003 to help seniors buy prescription drugs, it slapped on an unusual restriction: The federal government was barred from negotiating cheaper prices for those medicines. Instead, the job of holding down costs was outsourced to the insurance companies delivering the subsidized new coverage, known as Medicare…
Trump's tax losses, and the political power of real estate
October 7, 2016 | The possibility that Donald Trump avoided paying income tax for nearly two decades has stirred debate about how, exactly, he managed to report almost $1 billion in net operating losses on his 1995 tax return. It has also triggered buzz about the copious benefits available to the real estate industry in our tax code. The exact…
Donald Trump's fractional fundraising
September 29, 2016 | Donald Trump and Mitt Romney may not have much in common, and the 2012 GOP presidential nominee has made no bones about his visceral dislike of the pugilistic businessman who is carrying his party's banner this time around. When it comes to campaign fundraising, though, there's a lot of overlap in their pools of donors.…
Russian-born oil magnate gives big to Trump Victory
September 26, 2016 | Donald Trump has an interesting relationship with Russia, to say the least. He's praised Vladimir Putin. His former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, had business dealings with pro-Russia leaders in Ukraine. U.S. intelligence officials are investigating whether one of Trump's foreign policy advisers met with senior Russia officials to discuss lifting economic sanctions in the event of a…
Funds gush in deep blue Land of Lincoln as Kirk struggles to hold seat
September 14, 2016 | One-term Sen. Mark Kirk's success or failure in his heated struggle to retain his seat will help determine whether Republicans or Democrats control the Senate come January. No surprise, then, that the race's fundraising totals have soared. The most recent fundraising reports show that Kirk, a Republican, and his opponent, Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth, each had raised more than $10…
Pharma cos. and celebrities flood DNC festivities
July 28, 2016 | The klieg lights were on full strength Wednesday at a star-studded lunch highlighting obesity treatment and, later, a Fergie concert, both put on by the Creative Coalition — with help from pharma giants like Novo Nordisk — on the third day of the Democratic National Convention. "I think you couple the artistry with celebrity to create…
Amish PAC spends bulk of funds renting lists from firm tied to cofounder
July 25, 2016 | Amish PAC enjoyed a long stay in the limelight when it arrived on the scene earlier this year, conjuring clashing images of super PAC spending and horse-drawn buggies. So the filing of its first FEC report seemed a good time to check in with the group that aims to turn out Amish voters to support…
GOP Veepstakes: The money behind the contenders
July 13, 2016 | The anticipation is killing us: What name will appear along with Donald Trump's on the Republican ticket? The presumptive nominee could announce his VP pick any day now, just in time for the Republican National Convention in Cleveland next week. The Donald is reported to be appearing at a public event with his chosen running mate on Friday, according…
Bayh is back — with a bulging war chest
July 13, 2016 | When former Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) retired from politics at the end of 2010, more than $10 million sat in his campaign account. Now, after five years of work as a partner in a lobbying firm and an adviser for a private equity group, Bayh is mounting a bid to return to the Senate. News that he planned…
Clinton and Wall Street: What's the deal, really?
July 12, 2016 | In May, Wall Streeters donated more than any other industry to Hillary Clinton's campaign and pro-Clinton super PACs – nearly $4.45 million out of her total $314 million raised. Retired people and the printing & publishing industry took the Nos. 2 and 3 spots. This news tracks with one of the major critiques of Clinton: that…
With presidential fundraising not far behind him, Rubio gears up for Senate race
June 22, 2016 | Marco Rubio may have promised "like 10,000 times" that he would be a private citizen in January 2017, but he apparently didn't say it enough to make it stick — the Florida senator announced his intent to run for re-election Wednesday morning. Rubio suspended his presidential campaign in March, though his candidate committee lives on…
A hedge fund house divided: Renaissance Technologies
June 7, 2016 | Renaissance Technologies, the hedge fund firm and one of the largest political contributors in American politics today, is a world made in the image of its leadership. The firm rejects many of Wall Street's routine practices. Rather than staffing up with whiz kids in finance, for instance, Renaissance looks for analysts with backgrounds in science and…
Military donors salute Sanders, show little support for Trump
June 3, 2016 | If campaign contributions are any indication of broader support, members of the military are lining up behind Democrats in the presidential race, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) in the lead. Individuals listing their employer as the U.S. Department of Defense or one of the branches of the military have given $374,600 to Sanders, more than to any…
Are super PACs becoming captive to hedge funders? Six give nearly $10 million to presidential groups in March alone
April 21, 2016 | Hedge fund managers know something about when to hold and when to fold. Last month, they did more of the former when it came to political giving, holding steady with their pattern of making uber-contributions to presidential super PACs — even after the favored candidate of some of them dropped out of the race. Wall Street…
Outside spending showdown in race to replace Boehner tops all House contests so far
April 6, 2016 | The race to replace former Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) attracted more outside money than any other primary faceoff in the House of Representatives so far this cycle, data collected by the Center for Responsive Politics shows. In fact, the March 15 contest is the first in the House to have attracted more…
Candidates go head-to-head in Super Tuesday money race
February 25, 2016 | Next Tuesday could make or break some of the remaining presidential campaigns and leave us with just a handful. The race for cash from the Super Tuesday states looks very different from the race for delegates, though. Four candidates have won at least one of the dozen states with March 1 primaries or caucuses, measured…
How the parties worked the law and got their mojo back
February 19, 2016 | Are the parties being starved to death? Loyalists on both sides of the aisle have said so, citing a series of legislative moves and court decisions in recent years that took away the parties' ability to raise unlimited "soft money" and allowed other groups to do so instead. The shrinking presence of the parties, which…
Super PACs allow Wall Street to dominate presidential giving in 2015
February 2, 2016 | The securities and investment industry flexed serious financial muscle in the presidential money race last year. At $102 million contributed to all candidates, current and former, and the super PACs supporting them, it led all industries tracked by the Center for Responsive Politics, new data show. Super PACs allowed the industry to gain an outsize share…
Most Clinton campaign donors are women, but super PACs still dominated by men
February 1, 2016 | Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign received contributions from more women than men in 2015, a breakdown unique among the presidential candidates so far this cycle. The gap isn't huge, but it's real: Clinton received contributions from more than 25,000 women who gave more than $200 in 2015. The combined $37.6 million they…
Lawyers backing Clinton, financiers flocking to Bush: Who's funding the race for the White House
October 22, 2015 | Lawyers are showing a lot of love for Hillary Clinton, while Wall Street is investing most heavily in Jeb Bush. Outside of retirees, a traditional and unsurprising donor base for most candidates, the 2016 presidential candidates looked to a variety of industries in their quest for campaign money from individuals in 2015's third quarter, a Center…
Attacks on low taxes for hedge fund managers will face fierce fight
September 10, 2015 | Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's tax plan, announced Wednesday, lent some bipartisan cred to mostly Democratic efforts to force hedge fund managers to pay higher taxes. Bush called for the managers to count their compensation as income, rather than capital gains, which would result in the money being taxed at a higher rate. Much higher,…
Donors living abroad gave big to super PAC supporting Bush
August 5, 2015 | At $102.5 million, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's (R) super PAC, Right to Rise USA, has raised enough cash to turn many other 2016 presidential candidates green with envy. In fact, even the amount the group has brought in just from donors with offshore addresses — $757,137 — might draw groans from some of his…
Trash-talking Washington, but cleaning up with D.C. donors
July 29, 2015 | When former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) announced his run for the presidency back in June, he tried to cast himself as a Washington outsider — despite his family's long-standing ties to the nation's capital. "We are not going to clean up the mess in Washington by electing the people who either helped create it…
Powerful health care entities side with Obama in Supreme Court case, present quandary for GOP if it "wins"
June 24, 2015 | The U.S. Supreme Court could rule as early as Thursday in the case of King v. Burwell, which deals with whether or not the Affordable Care Act allows tax credit subsidies to be given to individuals who buy health insurance in the dozens of states using the federal exchange. There's little question that some Republicans…
Donor demographics: old white guys edition, part I
June 11, 2015 | Money-in-politics is not a young person's game. While 2016's presidential hopefuls may try to recreate Barack Obama's successful appeal to young voters, they'll spend much of their time hitting up the country's wealthiest senior citizens for cash. Already Republican candidates are vying for the support of the septuagenarian Koch brothers and the octogenarian Sheldon Adelson,…
Departed members of the 113th Congress find new homes on K Street, and elsewhere
May 20, 2015 | Former members of the 113th Congress have embarked on various new adventures since their defeats, retirements or departures for other reasons: Some are teaching, others are pondering away at think tanks, a couple are embedded in corporate culture, a few are even enjoying their freedom and sleeping a little later every morning. Not surprisingly, though,…
Ben Carson Charms Small Donors
May 8, 2015 | When retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced his bid for the GOP nomination earlier this week, everything about it was unconventional — including the gospel choir crooning an Eminem song and Carson's wife playing the violin. But breaking the mold is apparently paying off: Carson's presidential exploratory committee raised $2.1 million over just 29 days in…
The Political One Percent of the One Percent in 2014: Mega Donors Fuel Rising Cost of Elections
April 30, 2015 | In the 2014 elections, 31,976 donors — equal to roughly one percent of one percent of the total population of the United States — accounted for an astounding $1.18 billion in disclosed political contributions at the federal level. Those big givers — what we have termed the Political One Percent of the One Percent —…
The JCN Story: Building a Secretive GOP Judicial Machine
March 23, 2015 | This story was cross-posted at The Daily Beast. It was a cold winter night in Washington, D.C., not long after President George W. Bush won a second term, and the mood at the upscale Italian restaurant was downright celebratory. The most prominent guest was Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, but his table also boasted a…
Gone, But Not Forgotten: Ex-Members Keep on Giving
February 25, 2015 | Even when they don't head straight to K Street, it's safe to say that former members of Congress don't forget their colleagues — nor are they consigned by them to history. For one thing, many ex-lawmakers find themselves involuntarily retired with money left in their campaign accounts and leadership PACs — money that can be used…
All Cooled Off: As Congress Convenes, Former Colleagues Will Soon be Calling From K Street
January 6, 2015 | Seven years after President George W. Bush signed the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA) into law and then-Sen. Barack Obama, (D-Ill.) declared it to be "the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate," a joint analysis by the Sunlight Foundation and the Center for Responsive Politics suggests the effort may have misfired. A key…
Waning Influence? Part 3: Ups and Downs, by Industry
December 22, 2014 | This report is the third (part 1/part 2) in a series examining the years-long decline in both spending on lobbyists and the number of active lobbyists. Overall spending on lobbying has been on a downward trajectory since 2010 and the number of active lobbyists has seen an even longer-term and more drastic drop. Previous entries…
Sony No Stranger to Hacks, Has Lobbied on Cybersecurity Since 2011
December 20, 2014 | The U.S. government Friday officially accused North Korea of being behind the recent, massive hack of emails and other confidential information at Sony Pictures, and the studio nixed its planned release of "The Interview." But this isn't the first time that Sony has been sweating an embarrassing data breach.
Military Donors: Army Gives Democratic, Other Branches Favor GOP
November 10, 2014 | As the country prepares to honor its veterans Tuesday, OpenSecrets Blog broke down where members of the armed services made political contributions before last week's elections. Overall, military donors favored Republican candidates and conservative organizations in 2014, accounting for 55 percent of the nearly $800,000 they gave to candidates, party committees and outside spending groups.…
Cash for Challengers: Some Turn the Tables, Outraising Incumbents
November 1, 2014 | The incumbent advantage in fundraising is undisputed — so when a challenger brings in the larger haul, that often raises red flags for the sitting lawmaker's re-election prospects. This cycle, only 10 federal races feature an outraised incumbent. Chalk those up to a variety of scenarios: a scandal-ridden candidate; a wealthy self-funding challenger; shifting political…
Cracking the Contribution Cap: One in a Million Americans
September 2, 2014 | Americans who have taken advantage of the Supreme Court's decision earlier this year to toss aside overall political contribution limits are one in a million. Actually, they're slightly fewer than one in a million. Of the 318 million people in the U.S., a whopping 310 donors have given more than the total $123,200 they were allowed to…
NCAA Is On Its K Street A-Game
August 12, 2014 | Facing an onslaught of challenges to its long-held rules enforcing student amateurism, the National Collegiate Athletic Association is going pro in the lobbying arena. After hiring an outside firm, the NCAA has been doling out record amounts on K Street this year.
Politiquizz: Winners, Losers & Quitters
August 12, 2014 | With fewer than three months until the general election, campaigns are in full swing as candidates push their supporters to show up at the polls. There's lots of buzz about what Congress will look like after November 4th, and who will be moving to Washington, but the list of those who won't be heading back…
Money, Not Morals, Drives Marijuana Prohibition Movement
August 5, 2014 | The following is adapted from OpenSecrets.org's new marijuana issue profile. Read more about the marijuana industry's campaign donations and lobbying efforts as well as relevant marijuana focused legislation. In late November 2012, voters in Washington and Colorado passed ballot initiatives to fully legalize marijuana for recreational use. Coloradans were able to start purchasing recreational marijuana…
Cochran on the Hot Seat in Mississippi
June 24, 2014 | In the last weeks before today's runoff election in Mississippi pitting Sen. Thad Cochran (R ) against tea party-backed challenger Chris McDaniel, eleventh-hour campaign contributions have poured in at a furious rate, matched only by the efforts of outside groups joining the fray. Six-term incumbent Cochran saw more of the same institutional and big business support he has relied on…
Organizing for Action: Who's Giving to Obama-Linked Nonprofit?
June 17, 2014 | Since the beginning of the 2014 campaign cycle last year, 14 donors — running the gamut from a hedge fund manager to a gay rights activist to a little-known Salt Lake City venture capitalist — have given $100,000 or more to President Barack Obama's avowedly un-campaign committee, Organizing for Action. Another 26 have ponied up…
Hot Races 2014: Plenty of GOP Fireworks in Nebraska Senate Primary
May 5, 2014 | Some cracks are showing in the conservative movement's money machine in Nebraska. The GOP primary race for Nebraska's open Senate seat has attracted nearly $2 million dollars in outside spending — a lot of scratch for a state with an inexpensive media market. Four outside spending groups dedicated solely to this race have emerged in the last…
Koch Company and Labor Unions: One Degree of Separation
April 22, 2014 | Strange brew cooked up on K Street: Charles, David and organized labor.
Nonprofit's Exemption Was Granted Despite Record Fine, Big Political Spending
April 14, 2014 | Americans for Responsible Leadership's application for 501(c)(4) status was being considered just as sparks were flying about the IRS' targeting of certain groups.
Prescription for Winning: Doctors Rake in Campaign Cash from Medical Connections
March 26, 2014 | Professionals in health care look after their own.
Most Likely to Exceed: Who's Poised to Double Down Post-McCutcheon
January 15, 2014 | In anticipation of the Supreme Court's ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, the Center for Responsive Politics and the Sunlight Foundation have teamed up to look at the deep-pocketed donors who could give even more if the justices strike down another limit on the amount of money in U.S. politics.
OpenSecrets Politiquizz: Budget Battle
October 29, 2013 | Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) are charged with trying to negotiate a compromise on the budget -- no small task with the divide between the two parties these days. But we've found some common ground in their campaign finance history -- answer our quiz and you could win a CRP prize!
Who Does Fund the Dissidents?
October 4, 2013 | Yesterday we showed that the biggest thorns in the Republican leadership's side weren't getting leadership donations. So who is funding them? Don't look to Wall Street.
Exclusive: Largest Dark Money Donor Groups Share Funds, Hide Links
September 10, 2013 | OpenSecrets Blog has learned that the Center to Protect Patient Rights, the biggest shadow money group that does nothing but give grants to conservative politically active nonprofits, has received tens of millions of dollars from a similar group, TC4. But that's been hidden from the public: TC4 was sending the money to wholly-owned units of CPPR operating under different names. Other groups, too, have used this subterfuge, the latest trick in the (c)(4)s' grab-bag of nondisclosure tricks.
Leftover Loot: More Leave Congress With Lots of Campaign Cash
September 5, 2013 | Members of Congress spend much of their time chasing campaign cash and struggling to boost their war chests to fight off the next rival. And for a variety of reasons, an increasing number find themselves with flush bank accounts when their congressional careers are over, keeping them high on their former colleagues' call lists.
Hedging Bets in Washington? SAC Employees Gift Cantor, Others
July 25, 2013 | Criminal charges filed against a top hedge fund might signal the end of the fund's high-flying ways -- on Wall Street and here in Washington. SAC employee contributions have leaned Republican in the last couple of election cycles, with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor receiving more than any other current lawmaker.
Renzi's Decline Reflected in Personal Financial Reports
June 12, 2013 | Rep. Rick Renzi retired at the end of the 110th Congress, spurred by corruption charges, and was convicted this week. Opensecrets.org data shows his rise and demise.
Hollywood Teams Up With Grover Norquist
June 10, 2013 | Hollywood usually gets rapped for being a stronghold of out-of-touch liberals. Grover Norquist usually gets rapped for hating out-of-touch liberals and taxes. But according to IRS tax forms, the two sides have managed to find some common ground -- at least $100,000 worth.
Republican Controls Funding Race in Missouri Special Election
May 31, 2013 | Ever since Jo Ann Emerson announced in early December that she would be leaving the House of Representatives, the race for the empty Missouri 8th district seat has been on. And if money talks, it's saying that aspiring congressman Jason Smith, a Republican, has seized a decisive advantage over his Democratic counterpart Steve Hodges. With the special election set for next week, it appears that the fundraising battle has already been won.
Michele Bachmann Retiring, Despite Fundraising Prowess
May 29, 2013 | Michele Bachmann's decision not to run again means her fundraising superskills will have to be put to other uses.
Through Thick and Thin, Blue Dog Money Follows Blue Dog Members
May 1, 2013 | It's been said if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog. Just make sure it's blue. Members of the House Blue Dog Coalition contribute to other Blue Dogs to an unusual degree.
Gun Rights Group Has Close Ties To Paul Family
April 4, 2013 | The National Association for Gun Rights -- a group to the right of the NRA -- has been stirring controversy with attacks on Republicans. As it happens, the group has strong ties to both Rand and Ron Paul, OpenSecrets Blog has found.
Large, Micro Brewers Lobbying Congress for Competing Tax Cut Bills
March 28, 2013 | Large brewing companies and their microbrew counterparts are spending big to lobby Congress on their preferred tax cut bills.
Johnson's Retirement Makes Way for GOP Takeover
March 26, 2013 | Sen. Tim Johnson was the sole remaining Democrat in the South Dakota Congressional delegation. His retirement could move the GOP closer to a Senate majority.
Paul Ryan's Connections to Insurance Companies
March 13, 2013 | Paul Ryan's latest budget, like his previous ones, shakes up Medicare, potentially creating more customers for health insurers. The insurance industry has been Ryan's top contributor over the course of his career (after retired people).
Revolving Members of the Last Congress
March 8, 2013 | We've gathered revolving door information on former members of the 112th Congress. Check it out.
Capital Eye Opener, March 7: Hillary's Third Super PAC, Another Senator Is Off to K Street
March 7, 2013 | A third super PAC coalesces around Hillary Clinton's maybe-yes-maybe-no 2016 presidential run. Also, the revolving door takes another turn, sending Jon Kyl to Covington & Burling.
Capital Eye Opener, March 5: DCCC Announces 2014 Vulnerable Dems, ex-Sen. Nelson Opens Lobbying Firm
March 5, 2013 | The DCCC issues its first list of House Dems it views as vulnerable in 2014; the 26 lawmakers will get funding and help with messaging and mobilization. Also, former Sen. Ben Nelson takes a third job in his post-congressional career.
Revolving Door Works for Staffers, Too
February 27, 2013 | A new analysis by Remapping Debate and the Center for Responsive Politics shows that 41 high-ranking staffers for new members of Congress came from organizations that have a lobbying presence in Washington.
Capital Eye Opener, Feb. 22: Ideological Campaign Cash, Young Guns and More
February 22, 2013 | National Journal's liberal-conservative ratings of Congress are out. Also, Eric Cantor's YG Network files its first Form 990.
Issues and Interest Groups in State of the Union Spotlight
February 12, 2013 | The economy, immigration, gun control and climate change are among the issues President Obama is expected to highlight in his address tonight. But don't expect any of his proposals to sail through Congress -- there are too many interests at stake for that.
Capital Eye Opener, Feb. 7: Menendez Ties to Donor Deepen, Hutchison Joins Giuliani's Firm, and More
February 7, 2013 | Sen. Robert Menendez' ties to a donor who's under FBI investigation are deeper than initially reported: According to the Washington Post, he contacted top federal health officials twice over their finding that the donor overbilled Medicare. And research by OpenSecrets.org shows the donor and his wife each contributed to Menendez' legal defense fund
The Politics of Super Bowl XLVII
February 1, 2013 | NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the top brass of the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens tilt Republican, though not dramatically. The same goes for the extremely well-funded NFL Gridiron PAC.
Capital Eye Opener, Feb. 1: Five Things We Didn't Know About 2012 Until Last Night, and More
February 1, 2013 | We know, we know: 2012 is over, done, in the rear-view mirror. But in the campaign finance world, midnight last night in many ways marked a reckoning for 2012 politicians, super PACs and others involved in the election.
FBI Raids Home of Big Donor to Menendez and Others
January 30, 2013 | A South Florida doctor's office is raided by the FBI, apparently in connection with allegations that he provided free trips and hookers to Sen. Robert Menendez. True or not, the doctor and his family have been generous donors through the years -- mostly to Democrats.
Retired Lawmaker Moves on to Lobbying, Running a PAC
January 10, 2013 | Now that Rep. Steve LaTourette has retired after 18 years in Congress, he's moving through the revolving door to open a government affairs branch for a business-oriented law firm. He'll also run a PAC that favors moderate Republicans, and plans to start a super PAC affiliate.
Exclusive: Center to Protect Patient Rights Gave Millions in 2011 to Outside Spenders in Election
December 17, 2012 | A new filing by the Center to Protect Patient Rights shows the group, a secretive 501(c)(4) nonprofit, gave millions to other groups that spent heavily on ads in the 2012 election cycle.
Military Donors Rallied Late for Romney, But Obama Held Advantage
December 13, 2012 | Although military donors contributed big in the final weeks to Romney, Obama maintained his overall advantage for the campaign cycle.
Lawyers, Education Consistent as Obama's Top Industries, Wall Street True to Romney
December 12, 2012 | With the final fundraising numbers filed, Barack Obama's leading contributing industry was lawyers and law firms with $27 million, while Wall Street was Mitt Romney's, giving him $21 million.
Capital Eye Opener, Dec. 7: Multimillions for Priorities, Adelsons Come Through for Crossroads, and More
December 7, 2012 | Priorities USA Action brought in $15 million in the weeks before the election, and after the vote still had $4 million in the bank. The Adelsons send $23 million to American Crossroads in the final days. A union-funded group spends $1 million against Scott Brown just before the vote. And FreedomWorks for America picks up another $5 million-plus from the mysterious Specialty Group.
Rising Stars: Newly-Elected Lawmakers to Watch
December 5, 2012 | Newly elected members of Congress are weeks away from claiming their seats. Here is CRP's shortlist of newcomers expected to make some waves.
After Spending Millions to Defeat Her, Wall Street May Answer to Warren
December 4, 2012 | In spite of Wall Street's efforts to keep Warren out of power, she's likely to have a heavy hand in regulating banks.
Drones: Despite Problems, A Push to Expand Domestic Use
November 27, 2012 | Privacy and safety questions remain unresolved, but a law pushed by makers of unmanned aerial vehicles requires the Federal Aviation Administration to open up airspace to the devices. Police departments, universities, private corporations -- everyone wants one.
Lawyers Win Big While Wall Street Splits the Difference
November 15, 2012 | Lawyers and lobbyists invested their contributions in winners to a far greater degree than did Wall Street, health professionals, and the real estate industry.
Hot Race for Virginia Senate Seat: Tim Kaine vs. George Allen
November 1, 2012 | Virginia's Senate race has proved to be much more than a barometer for national sentiment about Democrats and Republicans. With the help of outside spending, its cost is approaching $70 million, making it the nation's most expensive so far.
2012 Election Spending Will Reach $6 Billion, Center for Responsive Politics Predicts
October 31, 2012 | Earlier this year, the Center for Responsive Politics estimated that the 2012 election would cost $5.8 billion -- an estimate that already made it the most expensive in history -- but with less than a week to go before the election, CRP is revising the estimate upwards. According to CRP's new analysis of Federal Election Commission data, this election will likely cost $6 billion.
Wall Street Funds Down From Obama's Inaugural Run
October 25, 2012 | This time last cycle, Wall Street had give candidate Barack Obama $9 million more than this time around and was his fourth-highest contributing industry. Mitt Romney has received almost $13 million more from Wall Street than Obama.
Hot Race in Michigan's 1st: Dan Benishek vs. Gary McDowell
October 21, 2012 | A rematch between one-term incumbent Dan Benishek and his Democratic challenger, ary McDowell, looks to be a much tighter race than their encounter two years ago.
Conservative Super PAC Finds Voice Through Small Donors
October 12, 2012 | Small donors are giving a conservative super PAC a strong voice in the 2012 election.
The Big Picture: CRP Collaboration With INN and Others Produces Rare Look at Wealthy Donors' Range of Giving
October 8, 2012 | CRP's collaboration with the Investigative News Network, the National Institute for Money in State Politics and news outlets in seven states yields a close look at wealthy donors' wide-ranging giving.
Capital Eye Opener, Oct. 3: Super PACs Launch New Anti-Obama Ads, Don't Forget Our Webchat, and More
October 3, 2012 | With less than five weeks remaining until Election Day, conservative super PACs remain on a roll with their outside spending against President Barack Obama. And this week, he's come under attack again.
Capital Eye Opener Sept. 25: Outside Money Worries Cornyn, Campaign Season Good to FedEx, and More
September 25, 2012 | Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, says the campaign finance system is "broken" because of the influence of outside money.
Capital Eye Opener, Sept. 13: New Report on F-22 Oversight, Gary Johnson Putters Along, and More
September 13, 2012 | Lawmakers presiding at a hearing today on problems plaguing the F-22 Raptor have taken in more money from the aircraft's maker than the average member of Congress, according to a new report using CRP data.
Capital Eye Opener, August 28th: 'Turncoat' in Tampa, a $6000 Campaign, and Convention Spending Down
August 28, 2012 | Charlie Crist makes convention news, agreeing to speak at the Democratic event next week -- despite being the beneficiary of millions from Republicans during his career, a New Hampshire gubernatorial candidate shows how to run a campaign on the cheap, and convention sponsors are holding back this year.
Super PAC Spending Skews Right As Heavy Hitters Tap Familiar Sources of Cash
August 22, 2012 | Super PAC spending has taken a hard turn for the right -- conservative super PACs have now spent $100 million more than their liberal counterparts. But who is funding super PACs? It turns out several of the top super PACs have developed distinctive bases of financial support.
Capital Eye Opener, August 22nd: Tribal Lobbying, Yoder Makes Waves, and Retirees Take Spotlight
August 22, 2012 | Two new lobbying registrations this week have ties to Native American tribes, according to Politico. The National Indian Gaming Association and Chickasaw Nation Industries have officially hired Ben Nighthorse Consultants, Inc. and Sprit Rock Consulting, respectively, to represent their interests in the federal government.
Romney's Gender Gap Widens and Super PACs on Left Narrow Money Gap with Right: Our Breakdown of the June Reports
July 27, 2012 | The share of Romney's fundraising take from women hits a new low for 2012, while Obama's is again on the rise, and Wall Street falls out of the top five industry donors to the Republican candidate. And the gap between liberal and conservative super PAC spending is narrowing.
Restore Our Future Hauls in $20.7 Million From Top Conservative Donors
July 20, 2012 | Large checks from some of the biggest names in conservative campaign finance -- and some of the fanciest zip codes in the country -- fueled Restore Our Future's $20.7 million haul in the month of June, even aside from Sheldon Adelson.
A Heartbeat Away? The Money-and-Politics Veepstakes: Tim Pawlenty
July 9, 2012 | Working-class roots and a solid fundraising record could help the former Minnesota governor get the nod.
Lawmakers Who Took Sweetheart Loans Also Benefited From Countrywide Campaign Cash
July 5, 2012 | Six lawmakers that received special loan deals from troubled mortgage dealer Countrywide were also the beneficiaries of more than $105,000 in collective campaign contributions from the subprime giant.
Obama and Romney Tread Familiar Fundraising Ground in May
June 22, 2012 | But other than the Hollywood bump, the sources of Obama's campaign cash remained fairly static. The president raised nearly $3 million from retired donors in May, a group which has held the top spot for both Obama and Romney for the entire cycle so far.
The NFL's Influence Game
May 3, 2012 | The nation's capital actually has quite a bit of say in what has become the extremely lucrative business of professional football. And in turn, the NFL has quite the presence in Washington.
Delivering Postal Reform
April 12, 2012 | Congress may stir up a hornet's nest in the next few weeks when it takes up the matter of overhauling the postal service. The issue has brought out an array of special interests, including lobbyists for the envelope industry.
The Airline Safety Influence Game
March 29, 2012 | The story of a JetBlue pilot who may have had a mental breakdown on a flight to Las Vegas earlier this week ended without physical harm when fellow crew members and passengers stepped in, but it highlighted questions about air safety: How closely are pilots monitored? Who decides when it's safe for them to fly? And how much do the airlines spend lobbying on issues like this?
Blue Dog Fundraising Climbs as Coalition Fights Extinction
March 20, 2012 | Blue Dog Democrats are an endangered species on Capitol Hill, but their fundraising suggests they may be clawing their way back with a little help from Democratic leadership PACs, among others.
Moneyed Sectors Returned to Santorum After Big Win in Iowa
February 29, 2012 | January proved to be a financially fruitful month for presidential candidate Rick Santorum, bringing a spike in contributions from individuals in several important industries. See what sectors and industries were the most important to Santorum's campaign.
All-Star Politics of the NBA
February 24, 2012 | An Obama fundraiser at the Orlando home of a Dallas Mavericks star last night wasn't the only evidence that NBA players and owners know how to play politics. They've contributed $2.6 million to federal candidates and political committees since 2009, according to research by the Center for Responsive Politics, and have shown a strong preference for Democrats.
OpenSecrets Blog PolitiQuizz: Who Hearts Rick Santorum?
February 13, 2012 | Rick Santorum posted big returns last Tuesday, winning the races in Minnesota, Colorado, and Missouri. See if you can find what his financial support was like in those three states.
NFL Teams Play Political Football
October 7, 2011 | A new season means a fresh start for teams like the Houston Texans. Not only is the NFL's newest team the favorite to win its division for the first time, the team ranks as the most politically active since January 2009, according to a new analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Five Money-in-Politics Facts about Herman Cain, Winner of Florida GOP Presidential Straw Poll
September 25, 2011 | Who is Herman Cain, and who is funding his presidential campaign? OpenSecrets Blog is here to tell you more.
Rise of the Retirees, Postal Unions Seek to 'Save' USPS and More in Capital Eye Opener: Sept. 21
September 21, 2011 | The future of Medicare is a hot political topic. And as President Barack Obama, his potential GOP rivals and members of Congress debate the future of the program, it's likely that campaign cash from retired Americans will also be on their minds.
Democrat David Weprin Holds Financial Advantage in Home Stretch of New York Special Election
September 2, 2011 | In the contest to fill the House seat of former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), Democratic candidate David Weprin is out-pacing his Republican opponent, Bob Turn, in terms of fund-raising.
The Civil Rights Lobby, Huntsman Corp. Exec Starts Super PAC and More in Capital Eye Opener: Aug. 30
August 30, 2011 | Decades after former NAACP counsel Thurgood Marshall joined the U.S. Supreme Court, the NAACP is still fighting to eliminate racial prejudices and to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens. And part of that fight involves lobbying in the nation's halls of power.
Who's Who in the World of Super PACs?
August 24, 2011 | According to research by the Center for Responsive Politics, all liberal super PACs have raised a combined $7.61 million during the first half of 2011 -- with more than 80 percent of their money coming from 23 donors.
Money Talks: OpenSecrets.org's Interview with Top Campaign Finance Attorney Trevor Potter
August 3, 2011 | OpenSecrets Blog recently sat down with attorney Trevor Potter, the head of the Campaign Legal Center, to discuss the changing campaign finance landscape. The wide-ranging conversation touched on the seriousness of comedian Stephen Colbert's super PAC, how political speech isn't for "sissies" and how the U.S. Supreme Court is made up of "theorists" who are "not in touch with reality" when it comes to how money is being raised and spent.
First Presidential Campaign Finance Reports Show Clout of Wall Street, Retirees
July 28, 2011 | President Barack Obama has raised $48.7 million for his re-election campaign and his GOP challengers have raised a combined $36.7 million. But where is that money coming from?
David Wu's Woes, Sunshine State Bundling and More in Capital Eye Opener: July 25
July 25, 2011 | Two dozen Floridians have collectively bundled at least $3.55 million for President Barack Obama's re-election efforts, including 15 individuals who did not bundle money on Obama's behalf during his 2008 presidential campaign. Among some of the high-profile new names on the list? Democratic operative Ben Pollara, businessman Stephen Bittel and trial lawyer John Morgan.
Financial Sector Helps Barack Obama Score Big Money for Re-election Fight
July 22, 2011 | One-third of the money President Barack Obama's elite fund-raising corps has raised on behalf of his re-election has come from the financial sector, according to a new Center for Responsive Politics analysis. Individuals who work in the finance, insurance and real estate sector are responsible for raising at least $11.3 million for Obama's campaign and the Democratic National Committee, according to the Center's research.
Defense Dollars to Democrats, the Odd Couple: McCotter and Unions and More in Capital Eye Opener: July 8
July 8, 2011 | Historically, Democrats in Congress have been perceived as the bigger proponents for cuts in defense spending. But recent campaign contributions from political action committees show party affiliation alone doesn't translate to support -- or lack thereof -- from defense interests.
Some Super PACs Reveal Barest of Details About Funders
June 17, 2011 | Super PACs, a new breed of political action committee that may raise unlimited sums of money to fuel political advertisements known as independent expenditures, are subject to one major condition: they must disclose their donors. Or are they?
Some Anthony Weiner Campaign Donors May be Willing to See Past Congressman's Sex Scandal
June 7, 2011 | Keep the faith or bail out: such is the conundrum Weiner's roster of big-dollar donors faces as the embattled lawmaker fights to keep his political career righted. And in interviews Tuesday with OpenSecrets Blog, several of Weiner's more prominent backers offered varying degrees of support for the politician they had previously helped bankroll.
Gregg Goes to Wall Street, Fantasy Sports Tackle Lobbying and More in Capital Eye Opener: June 1
June 1, 2011 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics.
News Corp. Embraces Transparency, Donald Trump Bows Out and More in Capital Eye Opener: May 17
May 17, 2011 | News Corp., the parent company of Fox News, is set to issue regular reports about its political spending, the New York Times reported Saturday. News Corp.'s board of directors decided last month to publicly disclose corporate political contributions each January.
Blue Dogs' Lobbying, SEC's Revolving Door and More in Capital Eye Opener: May 16
May 16, 2011 | BLUE DOGS CHASE JOBS ON K STREET: Having been systematically targeted by congressional Republicans during the 2010 election cycle, some conservative Blue Dog Democrats appear to have found a silver lining to their exile from Capitol Hill.
Conservative Ex-Sen. Rick Santorum Faces Financial Hurdles as Potential Presidential Candidate
April 14, 2011 | Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) revealed Wednesday night on Fox News that he is forming an exploratory committee in a quest to potentially seek the GOP presidential nomination. His hang-up? Campaign cash.
Finance Sector Loves Tim Pawlenty, Whirlpool Loves Tax Credits and More in Capital Eye Opener: March 22
March 22, 2011 | Republican Tim Pawlenty, who yesterday launched a presidential exploratory committee, built a massive war chest during the 2010 election cycle to aid fellow Republicans. Who was fueling this money machine?
OpenSecrets.org Mailbag: Gubernatorial Money, Lobbying Disclosure and Exploratory Committee Donations
March 18, 2011 | Welcome to the latest installment of OpenSecrets.org Mailbag, where we answer your burning questions about the role of money in politics, political influence and the work we do here at OpenSecrets.org.
Blue Tide Rising: Democratic Fund-Raising Outfit ActBlue Experiences Biggest Election Cycle Ever
March 11, 2011 | Despite dismal electoral results for Democrats nationally in 2010, fund-raising powerhouse ActBlue had its most prolific period on record. The political committee, which serves as an online conduit of contributions for Democrats, funneled approximately $60 million to federal candidates and committees during the 2010 election cycle.
Ex-Sen. Chris Dodd Takes a Spin Through the Revolving Door to Motion Picture Association of America
March 1, 2011 | Former Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) may not be legally allowed to lobby his colleagues on the Hill until 2013, but that hasn't stopped him from taking the job of Hollywood's top lobbyist.
American Solutions for Winning the Future: Republican Newt Gingrich's Mighty Political Committee
February 22, 2011 | During the past five years, Republican Newt Gingrich has raised about $52 million for his tax-exempt 527 committee, including $28.2 million during 2009 and 2010, according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis.
Tea Party Express Responsible for Dead Woman's Donations Appearing in FEC Filings, Widower Says
February 9, 2011 | How did a woman, dead since 2007, make thousands of dollars in campaign donations, according to reports filed during the past two years by the Tea Party Express' political action committee? A lapse in communication between the Tea Party Express and the late woman's husband, paired with a quirky campaign finance law, is the likely culprit.
Tea Party Express Refunds Contributions Made in Name of Dead Woman After Questions from OpenSecrets.org
January 19, 2011 | The Tea Party Express, which played a pivotal role in electing and nominating conservative candidates across the country in 2010, has forfeited $8,000 from its political war chest after questions from OpenSecrets Blog about the money's legitimacy -- although questions remain about how a dead woman's name was used to make the donations in the first place.
Trial Lawyer Charlie Crist, Kent Conrad to Retire and More in Capital Eye Opener: January 18
January 18, 2011 | After his failed U.S. Senate bid, Florida Republican-turned-independent Charlie Crist has joined the law firm Morgan and Morgan, his top campaign contributor. Morgan and Morgan employees gave Crist more than $98,000 during his run for Senate, according to research by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Political Gifts From Beyond the Grave: Dead Woman Donates Thousands of Dollars to Tea Party Express
January 14, 2011 | For more than two years, the Tea Party Express' political war chest has been filled with thousands of dollars in donations from a dead woman. How exactly Joan Holmes, who died in 2007, made $7,500 worth of donations from beyond the grave is shrouded in mystery: Both Lee Holmes, her husband, and a Tea Party Express official deny that they're responsible.
Who's Backing the New Top Blue Dogs' Bark, Bite?
November 22, 2010 | The Blue Dogs have elevated Reps. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), John Barrow (D-Ga.) and Mike Ross (D-Ark.) as their new leaders. Which donors and special interests have these men relied upon to fill their war chests?
MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, Suspended Over Political Donations, Has Political History of His Own
November 19, 2010 | MSNBC's newest suspension victim is former Congressman Joe Scarborough (R-Fla.), the current co-host of the network's "Morning Joe" program. Scarborough's recent political contributions build upon a history of giving to Republican candidates.
Which Industries Won and Lost in Election 2010?
November 10, 2010 | Imagine that every member of Congress represents the industry or special interests that have contributed the most to his or her campaign coffers. Which industries and special interests, then, lost or won seats in Congress during the 2010 midterm election?
Cash Couldn't Help Three Democratic Powerhouses in Midterm Election
November 4, 2010 | Republicans' 60-seat surge during Tuesday's midterm election included replacing the seats of three longtime committee chairmen with almost a century of experience in Congress between them.
Head-Stomping Rand Paul Supporter Also a Campaign Donor
October 26, 2010 | Tim Profitt, who donated $1,900 to Rand Paul, is charged with assualt in connection with an altercation at a campaign rally.
GOP Presidential Hopefuls Shower Congressional Candidates With Cash, Attention Ahead of Own Potential 2012 Bids
October 25, 2010 | Various conservative straw polls from this year have put Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich on top as voter favorites. Although primaries don't begin for another 16 months, potential candidates are already laying groundwork for possible presidential runs. In the meantime, OpenSecrets Blog explores the financial activities during the 2009-2010 election cycle of the politicos who are angling to challenge President Barack Obama in the next presidential election.
Led By George Soros' Son, Student Contributions Buoy Democrats in 2010 Midterms
October 20, 2010 | In the run up to the 2010 midterm elections, Soros joins a handful of young, emerging political heavyweights, many of whom are related to other prolific political donors. And they're helping tip the scales toward Democrats in the competition for students' campaign cash, the Center's analysis indicates.
Be it Bingo or Activism, Some Women Buck Political Contribution Trends
October 14, 2010 | Only three-tenths of a percent of voting-age Americans donate money to campaigns, and historically, men donate much larger sums than women. But a Center for Responsive Politics analysis shows at least 20 cities are bucking the trend. And some in unconventional ways.
Retirees Heart Republican Candidates, GOP Takes Aim at New Targets and More in Capital Eye Opener: October 12
October 12, 2010 | Quick -- which "industry" has spent the most on the 2010 midterm elections? A cool $51 million from health professionals? Chump change. Maybe the $61 million from big banks? Not even close. Retired individuals have already spent more than $98 million on federal elections this cycle...
Tea Party-Loving Republican Senate Candidates Propelled by Cash from Ideological Groups, Small Donors
October 7, 2010 | Thirteen Tea Party-backed Republicans want the U.S. Senate to experience a new brand of political brew after November 2. The question isn't whether they will or won't, but rather, how many of them will be in office? And donations from people making modest campaign contributions appear poised to play an integral role in propelling them into office.
Female Lobbyists Get the Cold Shoulder, Tracking the DCCC's Investments and More in Capital Eye Opener: October 7
October 7, 2010 | Rep. John Boehner (R-Oh.) has reportedly been working behind the scenes with male Republicans, urging them to avoid appearances of impropriety by cutting down on after-hours partying -- and particularly any partying that involves female lobbyists. And it seems to be working: According to The Hill, female lobbyists are complaining that Boehner's warning has cut off their access to many male Republicans in the House.
Some Congressional Challengers Flex Bigger Fund-Raising Muscles Than Incumbents
September 28, 2010 | Incumbency is a monumental obstacle to overcome for any political challenger. But 11 congressional challengers -- nine Republicans and two Democrats -- have managed to raise more money than their incumbent rivals, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis found.
'Shadow RNC' American Crossroads Raises Millions in August from Wealthy Individuals, Corporations
September 20, 2010 | Whether you call it a "527 committee," an "independent expenditure-only committee" or a "super PAC," the conservative outfit American Crossroads continued to demonstrate its fund-raising prowess in August.
EMILY's List's 'Super PAC' Rakes in Cash From SEIU, Mega-Donors
September 20, 2010 | The newly formed "super PAC" of abortion rights advocacy group EMILY's List drew most of the $430,000 it raised in August from just five sources, a Center for Responsive Politics review of campaign finance reports filed Thursday shows.
Look Out: Eye Doctors' Group Spends Big For GOP in Competitive New York Congressional Race
September 16, 2010 | The trade association for eye doctors has made a six-figure media buy to boost the fortunes of a New York Republican whose political fate may help determine whether the GOP seizes control of the U.S. House. The political action committee of the American Academy of Ophthalmology on Wednesday reported a cable television advertisement buy to the tune of $141,300 -- the group's largest independent expenditure to date this election cycle.
Favre, Goodell Among NFL Notables Playing Political Football During 2010 Midterms
September 9, 2010 | Brett Favre stands among 46 NFL players, owners, executives, associates, or recent retirees who, through June, have donated at least $3,000 to federal political candidates or committees during the current election cycle, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis of federal campaign finance records indicates.
Tea Party Caucus Members Bankrolled by Health Professionals, Retirees, Oil Interests
July 30, 2010 | A Center for Responsive Politics analysis shows that the biggest contributors to the 49 members of the newly-established congressional Tea Party caucus -- it so far includes only Republican -- are health professionals, retired individuals, the real estate industry and oil and gas interests. Furthermore, donations from health professionals, oil and gas interests and Republican and conservative groups are, on average, higher for Tea Party caucus members than for members of the House of Representatives in general and even their fellow House Republicans.
New Democratic Senator From West Virginia Has Scant Record of Federal Campaign Contributions
July 19, 2010 | Carte Goodwin, the 36-year-old attorney and former gubernatorial aide nominated by Democratic West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin to temporarily fill the seat of the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), may be a rising political star, but he hasn't left a long trail of federal-level campaign contributions in his wake.
Drug Lobby's New Head, John Castellani, Has Long Favored GOP With Campaign Cash
July 14, 2010 | One of the most powerful lobbying groups, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), announced on Tuesday that Business Roundtable President John Castellani will become the group's new leader. According to a Center for Responsive Politics review of campaign finance records, Castellani, along with his wife, has given $65,400 to federal candidates, parties and committees since 1994, with 84 percent of that sum benefiting Republicans.
DISCLOSE Act Exemptions for the NRA, Obama Takes on BP and More in Capital Eye Opener: June 15
June 15, 2010 | DEMS WORK FOR NRA-FRIENDLY DISCLOSE ACT: Congressional Democrats have reached a breakthrough on legislation to require campaign advertisements to disclose more information about who is funding them, according to Politico.
OpenSecrets.org Shines More Light on the Politicking of Koch Industries, Northrop Grumman, Anheuser-Busch and More
June 11, 2010 | The Center for Responsive Politics has added six new organizations to our list of "Heavy Hitters," the organizations spending the most to influence policy and politics over the years. More than 100 corporations, trade associations, unions and other groups are contained on this list.
Republican Charles Djou Holds Cash Advantage Ahead of Special Election in Heavily Democratic Hawaii District
May 13, 2010 | Votes are already being cast in the free-for-all special election in Hawaii's 1st Congressional District, and a Republican candidate has emerged with the most cash on hand in the campaign's final stretch. Republican Charles Djou, a city council member in Honolulu, has nearly $170,000 more in the bank than the most well-financed Democratic candidate.
Democrat David Obey, Chair of Powerful House Appropriations Committee, To Retire at End of Term
May 5, 2010 | The loss of Obey, the powerful chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and a close ally of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is a blow to Democrats in a year when anti-incumbent sentiment seems to be on the rise. The Appropriations chairmanship is one of the most powerful positions in Congress, and Obey's retirement may kick off a fierce fight between potential successors.
Push for Disclosure, Charlie Crist Plans to Leave GOP and More in Capital Eye Opener: April 29
April 29, 2010 | FIGHT TO DISCLOSE: Campaign finance observers are expecting Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) to introduce a bill designed to mitigate the effects of the Supreme Court's decision in its January Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling. The Citizens United decision cleared the way for corporations to spend without limit on ads designed to influence elections.
Congressmen Become Lobbyists, Charlie Rangel Challenged and More in Capital Eye Opener: April 14
April 14, 2010 | More than 125 former congressional personnel, from aides on the banking committees to elected officials, are now working on behalf of financial companies, using their expertise and connections to influence legislation that is meant to regulate the financial industry
Retirees, Doctors and Lawyers Helped Propel Scott Brown to U.S. Senate Seat
March 31, 2010 | In the hotly contested special election that sent Republican Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate, Brown and his opponent, Democrat Martha Coakley, squeezed their fund-raising efforts into a rapid scramble for money that lasted just weeks, not months.
Norman Leboon, Accused of Threatening to Kill Rep. Eric Cantor, Donated to Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign
March 29, 2010 | A man accused of threatening to kill House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) appears to have twice donated money to Barack Obama's presidential campaign, the Center for Responsive Politics' research indicates.
Revolving Door Shuts on Barack Obama's TSA Nominee Robert Harding
March 27, 2010 | Retired Maj. Gen. Robert Harding, President Barack Obama's second nominee to lead the Transportation Security Administration withdrew his name from consideration Friday, citing "distractions" from his previous work running a private contracting firm that both lobbied and did business with the federal government.
TSA Nominee Robert Harding's Politics, New Massa Mess and More in Capital Eye Opener: March 10
March 10, 2010 | Transportation Security Administration no stranger to lobbying or political donations.
2009 Brings Big Money in Key Congressional Races
March 2, 2010 | As Democrats try not to let political turbulence slim their ranks and Republicans focus on winning back the majority, money continues to pour into campaign coffers. Big-money congressional races are often in competitive states or districts that could wind up flipping for Republican or Democratic, a Center for Responsive Politics review of campaign finance reports through the end of 2009 shows.
Lawmakers Bring In Big Money As They Close The Books on 2009
February 17, 2010 | A preliminary analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics shows that 433 sitting members of the U.S. House of Representatives raised $78 million during the fourth quarter of 2009, an increase of 5.4 percent above their third-quarter hauls.
Capital Eye Opener: Wednesday, December 9
December 9, 2009 | In a special primary election yesterday, voters in Massachusetts selected Attorney General Martha Coakley to be the Democratic nominee and State Senator Scott Brown to be the Republican nominee to face off next month and ultimately fill the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Ted Kennedy. Coakley bested several other high-profile Democrats including Rep. Michael Capuano, businessman Alan Khazei and Stephen Pagliuca, co-owner of the Boston Celtics basketball team.
Capital Eye Opener: Monday, September 28
September 28, 2009 | "CO2 IS GREEN" FLUSH WITH GREENBACKS: The men at the helm of two new energy advocacy groups trying to derail the climate change bill in the Senate have been consistent campaign donors throughout the years.
Paul Kirk, Massachusetts' Interim U.S. Senator, Intimately Tied to Business, Lobbying and Democrats
September 24, 2009 | The U.S. Senate vacancy created by the death of liberal lion Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) is prompting another trip through the revolving door of political influence for longtime Kennedy ally Paul G. Kirk, Jr. Kirk was an aide to Kennedy from 1969 until 1977. He subsequently went on to join the law firm Sullivan & Worcester, where he has worked as a partner and lobbyist. Since 1989, he and his wife have also given $65,325 to Democratic candidates and committees.
Politicians Score Significant Cash From NFL Owners, Coaches and Players
September 17, 2009 | As the 32-team NFL begins its 2009 season, the Chargers and Texans stand among 20 clubs to donate more than $100,000 to federal political interests since the 1990 election cycle, according to the Center's analysis. Executives and employees of the league itself have also teamed together to contribute more than $322,000 during that time frame.
Debut of Sonia Sotomayor, Re-Hearing of Supreme Court's Citizens United Challenge Attracts Droves of Opinionated Citizens
September 9, 2009 | Scores of impassioned citizens flocked to the Supreme Court in the pre-dawn hours this morning to witness history -- the first appearance by Justice Sonia Sotomayor and also the re-argument of the high profile campaign finance case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
Curt Schilling and Wife Pitch Serious Cash to McCain-Palin Ticket, other Republicans
September 4, 2009 | Retired pitching ace Curt Schilling -- he of the split-finger fastball, bloody World Series sock and thoughts of running for the late Ted Kennedy's vacant U.S. Senate seat -- has also teamed with his wife to toss notable amounts of cash at Republican candidates and committees, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis indicates.
Health Interests, Lobbyists Rank High Among Industries Increasing Campaign Contributions
August 19, 2009 | Political action committees and individuals associated with health industries, each of which are intimately involved in the nation's ongoing health care reform debate, are donating more to federal candidates during the second quarter of 2009 than the first quarter, according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis.
Big Money Senate Race in Pennsylvania Heats Up With Joe Sestak Announcing Official Challenge to Arlen Specter
August 4, 2009 | One of the nation's hottest U.S. Senate contests is officially off to the races, as Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) today is officially challenging incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter, a long-time Republican who switched his party allegiance to become a Democrat earlier this year.
Newly Appointed Wall Street Investigators are Big Campaign Contributors
July 17, 2009 | House and Senate leaders last week named 10 members to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, a bipartisan panel that Congress created in May to investigate the causes of last year's financial crisis. The selections include businessmen, ex-lawmakers, and academics who have together donated more than $1 million to federal candidates since 198
Health Care Cheat Sheet (Money-in-Politics Style)
July 9, 2009 | If you've been following the money in the health care debate with us for the last month, you've probably got a pretty good sense now where it leads. As Congress continues debating the issue, we thought we'd make it even easier for you to keep track of the money by comparing the views of the big industries involved and some of the key players in each industry.
MSNBC Cites CRP Data in Question to Sen. Tom Carper About Health Care Reform
July 7, 2009 | How large of a role do campaign contributions play when it comes time to vote on controversial legislation? That's the question that MSNBC's David Shuster poised to Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) last night, citing CRP data.
Health Care Stakeholders Send Ex-Lawmakers, Staffers to Capitol Hill
July 6, 2009 | Washington's revolving door may fall off its hinges as lawmakers continue debating health care reform. Citing data from the Center for Responsive Politics, the Washington Post reported this morning that insurers, pharmaceutical companies, medical associations and hospitals have hired more than 350 former government staff members and retired members of Congress as part of a $1.4 million-a-day lobbying campaign.
Consumer Groups, Confident of Success, Advocate for Health Care Reform
July 2, 2009 | Recent polls have shown that a broad majority of Americans favor a "public option" for health insurance. Yet public opinion may not be as powerful a force as the lobbying efforts of industries seeking to protect the status quo. Consumer groups that favor President Obama's proposals to lower costs and expand coverage are being decidedly outspent and out-lobbied by drug manufacturers, insurers, HMOS and doctors' associations.
Obama's New Ambassador Nominees Gave Big — and Bundled Bigger
June 18, 2009 | The latest batch of picks for U.S. ambassadorships–along with their spouses and children–have contributed at least $637,800 to federal candidates, parties and committees since 1989, including $32,775 to Obama himself. These people also brought in at least $1.1 million for Obama's presidential bid as bundlers.
Diagnosis: Reform
June 17, 2009 | For some individuals, how Congress aims to reform America's health care system is literally a matter of life and death. For some industries, it could mean the difference between weathering the economic storm or shuttering their businesses. Over the next month, Capital Eye will be following the money as the various special interest groups continue to play politics in response to Congress's health reform proposals. Follow the month-long series here.
New GM CEO is Longtime GOP Contributor
June 11, 2009 | Although the Obama administration and a Democratic-controlled Congress now own a majority stake of General Motors, the retired executive appointed yesterday to be the company's new CEO, Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., is a veteran Republican fundraiser.
Capital Eye Report: Donors Weigh in on Close Ties Between Moran Brothers
June 9, 2009 | Brian Moran enters today's Virginia gubernatorial primary loaded with contributions from the campaign fund of his older brother, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and their mutual allies in the Northern Virginia defense industry. While there is nothing new about politicians supporting their family members' bids for office, the Moran brothers' ties have attracted national notice as Brian has become locked in a three-way battle for the Democratic nomination.
Justice, Defense Department Employees At Odds Over Next Leader
October 23, 2008 | 2008 appears to be the first race in recent presidential elections where there is a clear partisan preference among campaign contributors who work in the federal government, as well as in state and municipal government--and even a distinct preference within major federal agencies, including the high-profile departments of Justice and Defense. Barack Obama has collected nearly three times more than John McCain from civil servants and public officials ranging from U.S. attorneys to small-town mayors.
U.S. Election Will Cost $5.3 Billion, Center for Responsive Politics Predicts
October 22, 2008 | The 2008 election for president and Congress is not only one of the most closely watched U.S. elections in years; it's also the most expensive in history. The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics estimates that more than $5.3 billion will go toward financing the federal contests upcoming on Nov. 4.
Races to Watch III: Big Money, Small Money
September 29, 2008 | Barack Obama defended his decision not to accept public financing by arguing that running a campaign for the White House based on small contributions accomplishes what the public financing system aims to do but falls short of doing: curb the influence of outside interest groups. In many congressional races, the issue of who's backing the candidate--wealthy donors or everyone else--is finding its way into debates over the best way to fix the economy and whether campaign contributions and lobbying by the financial sector had anything to do with today's economic crisis. Capital Eye takes a closer look at some of these races.
Races to Watch II: Candidates Supported by Their Party
September 25, 2008 | Private interests and members of the public aren't the only ones betting their money on the congressional candidates they hope will win (or retain) congressional seats. Lawmakers in both parties have a vested interest in seeing their own candidates succeed this November, with Democrats wanting to strengthen their majority and Republicans hoping to minimize their losses. Here we look at some of the candidates getting the largest cash infusions from their own parties, indicating a close race.
Money and Votes Aligned in Congress's Last Debate Over Bank Regulation
September 23, 2008 | The last time Congress seriously debated how to regulate the financial industry, the result was legislation that allowed the nation's largest banks to get even larger and take risks that had been prohibited since the Great Depression. A look back at that debate, which was over the 1999 Financial Services Modernization Act, reveals that campaign contributions may have influenced the votes of politicians who, a decade later, are now grappling with the implosion of the giant banks they helped to foster.
Abramoff: More Time Behind Bars and Former Colleague Ring Indicted
September 9, 2008 | The criminal investigation surrounding disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff continues to unfold. Last week--during the Republicans' convention--Abramoff, a staunch Republican who gave more than $200,000 to the GOP, was sentenced to four more years in prison, and on Monday Kevin Ring, who lobbied with Abramoff, was indicted on public corruption charges.
Retirees Propel McCain to the Fundraising Finish Line
September 3, 2008 | Preparing for a general election in which he cannot collect private donations, John McCain vaulted in front of Barack Obama in fundraising from one of the biggest groups of donors in American politics: the senior set. A new analysis of the Republican nominee's summer fundraising by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics has found McCain leading Obama among retired donors almost two to one in June and July, $8.1 million to $4.5 million.
The Money Behind Palin
August 29, 2008 | John McCain surprised political pundits this morning by inviting Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to join him on the Republican ticket. Because Palin's political career is relatively new (she was mayor of Wasilla, an Anchorage suburb, and became governor after the 2006 election), there's little information available in the way of a campaign finance profile. But at the Center for Responsive Politics, we've strung together these observations about Palin's campaign fundraising and money --- and money-related scandal -- in Alaska politics.
Professors Spent Their Summer Vacations Giving to Obama
August 26, 2008 | While school was out, college professors and other educators were putting money into Barack Obama's presidential campaign, according to a new analysis of the Democratic nominee's summer fundraising. Educators contributed at least $2.3 million to his campaign in June and July, surpassed only by lawyers, who make up Obama's top-giving industry since the campaign's start, and retirees.
Home Is Where the Cash Is
June 11, 2008 | Most women will say that being a homemaker is a rewarding job, even though they don't earn any money from it. Campaign finance reports, however, make the important work look surprisingly lucrative.
Senator-Turned-Lobbyist Presents Subprime Situation for McCain
May 30, 2008 | The White House's new resident in January is going to have one heck of a complex economic mess to deal with. If that person is John McCain, he'll be there in part because of the hard work of a man whom economists are blaming for the crippling subprime meltdown.
Military Analysts and the Revolving Door
April 24, 2008 | The New York Times generated a lot of buzz this week with a story about military analysts who work for military contractors when they're not opining on television. The analysts, who have unprecedented access to information from the Bush administration, lobby for military contractors, serve on their boards and act as consultants to them.
Nader to Run Again
February 28, 2008 | Ralph Nader lives by the adage "if at first you don't succeed, try again." And again. And again. The third-party candidate, who also ran in the last two presidential elections, announced this month that he's going to give it another go this year, this time facing some record-breaking fundraisers who are making public financing obsolete.
Retirement Funds
February 21, 2008 | For congressmen who have been in office for decades, fundraising is easy and campaigning is cheap. And when they decide to leave office, donors' contributions can finance an extended retirement party.
Cost of '08 Presidential Race Already Tops All Elections Prior to '04
February 4, 2008 | While Republicans saw gains, exclusive analysis of year-end contributions finds Democrats maintained their hold on most top-giving industries. Lawyers, retirees and Wall Street still dominate. Candidates are on pace to break 2004 records before parties officially nominate.
January 24, 2008 | Republicans had their say in South Carolina last Saturday, and now the state's Democrats get to vote this Saturday for their favorite presidential candidate. The top Democratic fundraiser in the state has been John Edwards, who raised about $317,000 through September, followed by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Money wasn't a predictor in the Republican…
January 10, 2008 | Washington's revolving door has spun yet again, this time shuffling two longtime senators into a lobbying firm of their own. Former Sens. John Breaux (D-La.) and Trent Lott (R-Miss.) announced recently that they are together launching the Breaux-Lott Leadership Group, a lobby shop that they say will be small and bipartisan. The announcement comes as…
The Democrats' Lobbyist Lobs
December 6, 2007 | Lobbyists do represent ordinary Americans, as Hillary Clinton claims, but those contributing to her campaign mostly represent big industries, the Center for Responsive Politics finds. Obama and Edwards eschew lobbyists' money, but their biggest contributors still lobby in Washington.
Biggest Donors Are Digging Deeper for '08
November 15, 2007 | Top industries and interest groups have increased their giving over 2004 by 46 percent, Center finds. As money shifts to Democrats, giving from Republican strongholds is mostly flat.
Retirees Got Active in Presidential Campaign's 3rd Quarter
November 1, 2007 | Exclusive analysis finds lawyers are still the biggest givers to candidates for the White House, but retired contributors have edged out Wall Street. A year before '08 election, Democrats have the edge in nearly every major industry.
Exploring Fred Thompson's Finances
August 3, 2007 | Southern donors, lawyers, retirees and investors are major backers to the undeclared candidate's exploratory committee, the Center for Responsive Politics finds.
An Apple a Day Won't Keep the Lobbyists Away
August 1, 2007 | As Congress and the president debate just how much to spend on funding health insurance for children, various industries are trying to ensure they're not paying for it.
Financiers, Along with Lawyers, are Underwriting the Race for the White House, Watchdog Finds
April 18, 2007 | New, exclusive analysis on OpenSecrets.org finds attorneys have given candidates the most, but Wall Street's biggest firms top all other companies. Candidates have relied on their personal connections for early fundraising.
Congressional Preview
April 7, 2007 | New leadership in the 110th Congress means newfound influence for interests friendly to Democrats By Miranda Blue and Lindsay Renick Mayer January 04, 2007 | With the changing of the guard on Capitol Hill comes a shift in lobbying efforts. In December, the Republican-led 109th Congress closed with a late-night flurry of bills to appease…
Elephants Are Red, Donkeys Are Blue
February 13, 2007 | These politically active couples show their love for candidates with hefty checks. By Lindsay Renick Mayer February 13, 2007 | Software entrepreneur Paul Egerman courted his wife, Joanne, more than 25 years ago at a politician's victory party. "From my standpoint, it was a great date to go on," he said. "I didn't have to…
State of the Union Preview
January 22, 2007 | Global warming, the Iraq war and balancing the budget are likely to be among the issues the president addresses. By Lindsay Renick Mayer January 22, 2007 | When President Bush takes the podium on Tuesday night to deliver his annual address, he will do so before a nation that is far less supportive of his…
Center for Responsive Politics Predicts '06 Election Will Cost $2.6 Billion
October 25, 2006 | This year's intensely competitive election for control of the House of Representatives and Senate will be the most expensive midterm election ever, the Center for Responsive Politics predicts. Candidates, national political parties and outside issue advocacy groups will spend roughly $2.6 billion by the end of 2006 to influence the 472 federal contests around the United States and pad the war chests of incumbents not running this year.
Lobbying Rules Make Weldon Case Hard to Investigate
October 18, 2006 | Pennsylvania congressman urges reliance on 'verifiable' facts, but there has been little public disclosure of his daughter's lobbying business. By Lindsay Renick Mayer October 18, 2006 | As federal investigators examine whether Rep. Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania used his political clout to help his daughter's lobbying firm and her clients, members of the press and…
Making Hay Out of GOP Straw Poll
March 23, 2006 | GOP activists favor these candidates for the White House in 2008. But who will the money follow? By Courtney Mabeus March 23, 2006 | Republican Party leaders and activists gathered in Tennessee this month, and in a straw poll anointed native son Bill Frist as their chosen one to run for president in 2008. The…
A New Battleground
March 8, 2006 | War veterans try to topple congressional incumbents and their bigger war chests By Courtney Mabeus March 08, 2006 | To raise money for his congressional campaign in Minnesota, Tim Walz first had to learn how to sell himself. It's a skill he didn't have much need for in 24 years as a national guardsman, but,…
The Family That Gives Together…
January 9, 2006 | Contributing to Republican candidates runs in Jack Abramoff's family By Courtney Mabeus January 09, 2006 | Jack Abramoff and his wife were not the only members of their family making political contributions to President Bush, who is giving away money that the disgraced Washington lobbyist and his spouse contributed to his 2004 re-election campaign. Jack…
Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center: email@example.com


text:
From that far right wing conspiracy nut website the Huffington Post:
On Wednesday morning, as many Americans sifted through the voter data and exit poll numbers of President Barack Obama's reelection the night before, the Twitter feeds of close watchers of Yemen lit up with reports of another sort of presidential event: an apparent U.S. drone strike had killed several individuals in that country.
There was no way of being certain if the strike was indeed American, or for that matter if it was a drone strike at all, although it had all the markings of one.
"All signs (after dark, suspicions of locals, target) point to Sanhan strike being a US drone," Yemen-based freelance journalist Adam Baron wrote on Twitter.
Several other analysts concurred.
A White House spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. If it were a American strike, of course, it would have to have been authorized by Obama.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Password Safe 3.19
Password Safe allows you to manage your old passwords and to easily and quickly generate, store, organize, retrieve, and use complex new passwords, using password policies that you control. Once stored, your user names and passwords are just a few clicks away.
Using Password Safe you can organize your passwords using your own customizable references - for example, by user ID, category, web site, or location. You can choose to store all your passwords in a single encrypted master password list (an encrypted password database), or use multiple databases to further organize your passwords (work and home, for example). And with its intuitive interface you will be up and running in minutes.
Bugs fixed in 3.19
[2865116] Status-Bar message now correctly states "Password Copied" when doing a "Run Command".
[2865116] Status-Bar message now updated when using the keyboard arrows to transverse entries in Tree and List views.
[2856750] The Password Policy now correctly displayed in List View, when selected.
[2856051] Changes to database preferences are no longer lost upon minimize.
[2856410] The "Run Command" menu entry is no longer greyed out for Shortcuts to base entries with a Run Command.
[2851848] Mouse double-click interval removed from Virtual Keyboard to allow multiple virtual keys to be entered quickly.
[2850907] Password field no longer cleared after focus change.
[2842700] No longer crashes when using a French keyboard.
[2192490, 2840534] Multiple desktops now handled correctly for Windows XP and later system.
[2836569] Correct password data now copied from Edit dialog using 'Smart Labels'
[2832991] Double-click action display in the Status Bar now shows correct value for entries that have overriden the current default.
[2820260] Fix password expiry interval processing during Edit.
[2818653] Password expiry interval now correctly exported to XML and displayed during Edit, if present.
[2813295] 'Browse + Autotype' system tray menu items fixed - thanks to Vasily for reporting and sending the patches for this.
[2085058] Old (1.x) format databases now closed correctly.
[] Fixed problem with viewing a shortcut in read-only mode - thanks to gillum for reporting and helping track this down.
[] Fix crash when using External Editor on Notes field.
[] Password verification field not set when editing/viewing an alias entry and the password is hidden.
[] Enter key works again in initial dialog if browse button used to select a database.
[] AutoType by an alias now has correct password and its own notes data rather than '[Alias]' and its base's notes data, respectively.
[] Run command no longer truncates the first field if it is within double quotes.
[] Duplicate entry now duplicates double-click action of original as well.
[] Double-click on a shortcut entry now executes the action of its base.
[] Drag & Drop of entries with explicit double-click action values between different databases now works.
[] Browse to URL from an Alias entry now puts the correct password in the clipboard.
[] Text import no longer overwrites entry's RunCommand with double-click action value.
[] Tidy up item order in Edit menu and right-click context menu.
New Features for 3.19
[2832983] The Edit/View dialog now shows the details of the entry being edited/viewed in its title caption (This is updated when saving the entry).
[2832810] A new email field has been added, supporting email headers 'to', 'subject', 'cc', 'bcc' and 'body' (per RFC 2368 - see online help for details). If this field is not empty, it is used instead of the URL field even if that contains an email address.
Note: whereas the URL field had to have the 'mailto:' prefix to denote an email address rather than a URL, the email field must not contain this prefix.
[] PasswordSafe now handles Vista (and later) logoff, shutdown & restart more gracefully, giving the user now has more time to save a modified database.
[] Add new AutoType special fields '\wnnn' and '\Wnnn'. Unlike '\d', which sets the delay between sending each subsequent character, '\w' & '\W' introduces a one-time delay where they appear. For '\w', the value 'nnn' is in milli-seconds. For '\W', this specifies seconds.
Note: Max. value is 999s (16m 39s), during which time PasswordSafe will be unresponsive while it waits the specified time. Also supported via the Run Command $a command.
[] Add menu item to copy the Run Command to the clipboard.
[] Support Run Command and Double-Click Action (and email) fields in Filters.
Changes to Existing Features in 3.19
[] Changing the Security option to lock Password Safe when the workstation is locked, no longer requires a restart of Password Safe to come into effect.
[] Due to the French keyboard not supporting the key '-' in an accelerator, the shortcut for "Password Subset" has been changed from "Ctrl + -" to "Ctrl + B". Please do not allocate "Ctrl + -" to any shortcut if you will be using a French keyboard.
[] If a dialog is open (e.g. Add, Edit, Options etc.) and Password Safe is minimized, the Close and Exit options are no longer in the System Tray context menu. The user must first Restore the application and close the dialog before being able to close the database or exit the program.
[] If preferences stored in the database are changed, the user will be asked if they want to save them in the database when closing the database or application even if none of the entries have been changed.
[] The preference to Lock the Database after a certain amount of idle time has changed from being a global parameter affecting all databases opened by the user to be specific to each database.