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In the News
Original journalism from the Center's OpenSecrets News
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.
Lobbying spending at highest levels since 2010
October 25, 2018 | Nearly $2.6 billion has been spent on lobbyists so far, the most through three quarters since 2010 and $100 million more than at this point in 2017. Third-quarter spending is up by approximately $30 million over last year.
Democrat Beto O'Rourke is creeping up on Ted Cruz in the Texas Senate race — both in fundraising and polls
August 27, 2018 | Although incumbent Ted Cruz is still favored to beat challenger Beto O'Rourke in November, this is the first time in decades a Democrat has even come close to a Senate seat in Texas.
Andrew Wheeler's long history with the Energy sector
July 10, 2018 | Andrew Wheeler, the new acting administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency, has been through Washington's revolving door-he was a long time coal lobbyist and hasn't always been a Trump man.
June 26 Primary Results: More women running, more women winning
June 29, 2018 | More women -- both Democrats and Republicans -- have advanced to the November ballot at this date in the 2018 election cycle than at this point in any election cycle since at least 1994. Neither party is close to gender parity, but Democrats are closer than Republicans.
These two super PACs used a loophole to hide donors as they spent millions in West Virginia primary
May 22, 2018 | The conservative Mountain Families PAC and liberal Duty and Country PAC, which combined spent more than $3 million in the West Virginia Republican Senate primary, both used an FEC loophole to shield their respective donors before the May 8 election.
Campaign funding from Health Insurance and Pharma blocks hopes for Single-Payer enthusiasts
January 31, 2018 | Congress may be slow to respond to growing interest in a single-payer healthcare system. The influence of insurance & pharmaceutical companies looms large.
Lobbying spending hits historic lows
October 23, 2017 | Note: Some lobbyists file after the quarterly deadline. Visit our lobbying page for the most current data. Washington lobbying groups spent less money and reported fewer lobbyists during the third quarter of 2017 than in any quarter since at least 2008, when Center for Responsive Politics began tracking the data. Congress spent the summer considering…
OpenSecrets releases new 2015 personal financial data: Senators get richer; others not so much
October 13, 2017 | The majority of Congress are still millionaires, but Senators increased their net worth in 2015 at a far greater rate than Congress as a whole. In 2015, the median net worth of Senate Republicans rose 13 percent from $2.9 million to $3.3 million, according to personal financial disclosure data filed by congressional members and reviewed by…
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…
Healthcare lobbyists are no strangers on the Hill
July 7, 2017 | 267 former aides who worked for four congressional committees pivotal in approving new healthcare legislation are registered lobbyists for clients from the health sector or health insurance industry, according to the Center for Responsive Politics' analysis of Senate lobbying data. (See all the data here) In addition, 18 former lawmakers also swung through the revolving…
GOP senators opposing the BCRA don't have many friends in the health care industry
June 30, 2017 | The list of GOP senators unhappy with the initial draft of the Republican health care bill continues to grow. Before Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) decided to postpone the vote, six GOP senators announced they would vote against it. Since then, that number has doubled. Due to McConnell's pushback, the Senate will not vote on…
Some lawmakers owe their dads a big thank you this Father's Day
June 15, 2017 | There isn't much that fathers wouldn't do for their kids, especially in politics. Take this famous quote from former President John F. Kennedy: "I just received the following wire from my generous Daddy; 'Dear Jack, Don't buy a single vote more than is necessary. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide.'"…
PhRMA shows biggest spike in lobbying spending in first quarter of President Trump
April 21, 2017 | With President Trump's 100th day looming, he's struggled to check off some of the big initiatives on his to-do list, such as getting rid of Obamacare and overhauling the tax code. These hefty projects invite companies and other groups with something at stake to frantically lobby the government, hoping the legislation can turn in their…
OpenSecrets adds data on executive branch personal finances – but White House officials have yet to file disclosures
March 23, 2017 | Today, the Center for Responsive Politics is releasing new personal financial data for members of the Trump administration. Collected from reports that executive branch nominees are required to submit to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), the data gives the public an inside look at the financial interests of what is likely the wealthiest cabinet…
More than Mar-a-Lago: Members of all Trump clubs could have access to the president
March 10, 2017 | With each of President Donald Trump's trips to the Mar-a-Lago Club questions mount about who, exactly, is there with him. Those wealthy enough to spend $200,000 for a club membership don't have to try to schedule a meeting with Trump in Washington when they can bump into him at the winter White House and bend…
Van Hollen led Congress in contributions from lobbyists
March 8, 2017 | Sen. Chris Van Hollen's (D-Md.) star has been on the rise in the Democratic party: After seven terms in the House, he won a Senate seat last November, and now occupies a much-coveted spot on the Appropriations committee while also chairing the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the party's fundraising arm for its Senate candidates. A knack for…
Lobbying numbers down again — but poised to shoot up with new administration
February 1, 2017 | Note: Since some lobbyists file after the quarterly deadline, visit our lobbying summary for the most current data. We started to spot the decline when Barack Obama took office: Fewer people registered to lobby, and less money was being spent to influence Washington. And that trend continued last year: By the end of 2016, companies spent $3.1 billion…
Uptick in lobbying spending for merging companies facing antitrust scrutiny
January 27, 2017 | Note: Some lobbyists file after the quarterly deadline. Visit our lobbying page for the most current data. Quite a few corporations floated multi-billion dollar mergers in 2016, including ag leaders Monsanto and Bayer, telecom titans AT&T and Time Warner and fantasy sports giants FanDuel and Draft Kings. And with such marriages — which undergo scrutiny by…
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…
Now, more and better data for tracking secret money
October 31, 2016 | Here's the thing about dark money groups: Whatever their activity in real time, they always have an eye on how they'll be describing it to the feds a year hence. What do we mean by that? Right now and in recent months, a number of politically active nonprofits have been trying to influence the outcome of elections…
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…
RNC pulls worst fundraising numbers in recent years
August 22, 2016 | Even as talk in political circles has focused on the Trump campaign's apparent reliance on the Republican National Committee for much of its basic voter mobilization effort in November, reports filed with the FEC over the weekend show the RNC having arguably the worst fundraising July in at least four presidential cycles. The RNC reported…
In tight Wisconsin race, Johnson and Feingold take different paths to similar warchests
August 19, 2016 | Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) and his challenger Russ Feingold have raised almost exactly the same amount of money in their race for a Wisconsin Senate seat. But they've done so in very different ways. In terms of fundraising, the race is among the tightest in the country, not to mention one of the few where a challenger has raised…
Number of registered lobbyists plunges as spending declines yet again
August 9, 2016 | The lobbying industry may start arguing for its own bailout bill, given the relentless decline in reported spending for its services. The first quarter of 2016 was sluggish, the second similarly so. And with it came a pronounced dive in the number of active registered lobbyists. With 325 fewer lobbyists registered in the second quarter of…
They talk the talk, but don't write the checks: No Trump donors on Republican stage yet
July 19, 2016 | Republicans are denouncing Ohio Gov. John Kasich for ditching his own party's convention held in the state he governs. Of course, he's not the only nationally known GOP leader to skip the proceedings. It gets worse, though: None of Monday's or today's prime-time speakers at the Cleveland confab have donated more than $200 to Donald Trump's campaign or the super…
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…
How this year's super PACs got so fat — day by day by day…
March 30, 2016 | Happy anniversary. The first day of the 2016 cycle to see more than $5 million in contributions to major presidential super PACs was one year ago — March 31, 2015. The day belonged to Right to Rise USA. The super PAC supporting former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's ill-fated campaign, with its "shock and awe" fundraising strategy…
New York City is king of presidential contributions
February 5, 2016 | For political fundraising, the nation's capital isn't Washington, D.C. It's New York City. New Yorkers poured more cash into presidential politics last year than residents of any other American metro area. With nearly $66 million donated to Republican and Democratic candidates' campaigns and the outside groups like super PACs backing them, the city was the…
$100 million floods into presidential super PACs in second half of 2015
February 1, 2016 | Well-known liberal and conservative political donors left the sidelines and injected tens of millions of dollars into the presidential race over the past six months. And once again, it was a tiny group of individuals and businesses who gave a great deal of the money now being deployed in the presidential nomination fights. Reports filed…
For lobbying, gravity's pull continues, floor not found yet
January 26, 2016 | We're running out of synonyms for "decline." For years, OpenSecrets Blog has reported essentially the same headline. Washington's influence industry appears to be contracting, and the trend continued in 2015. Overall spending dipped just slightly last year, from $3.24 billion in 2014 to $3.20 billion, but the number became the latest data point in the long, slow slide in…
Reps. Israel and McDermott step off the fundraising circuit
January 6, 2016 | Two lawmakers, Democratic Reps. Jim McDermott (Wash.) and Steve Israel (N.Y.), announced their retirements this week, joining a parade of members of their party who will exit the House in 2017. In an interview with the New York Times, Israel indicated that the current campaign finance system, with its never-ending fundraising demands, had an impact…
List of lawmakers losing fundraising race is dominated by the scandal-plagued
December 11, 2015 | Several incumbent lawmakers who are giving off the whiff of scandal have another worry on top of their legal woes: They aren't keeping up with their challengers, many from within their own parties, in the fundraising arena. Take Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.), who's facing a rematch against Ro Khanna, a former Obama administration official whom…
Wisconsin may strike employer disclosure for campaign donors
November 5, 2015 | Update, Nov. 9: In the wee hours of Sunday morning, Wisconsin's state Senate passed a bill that ends the requirement for donors to disclose their employers when giving to state-level campaigns or other political committees. The bill, along with others that would raise contribution limits, eliminate the Government Accountability Board and allow coordination between candidates…
Lobbying spending contracts by 10 percent in third quarter
October 27, 2015 | Someone must have called a three-month time out in Washington's influence game during the late summer and early fall. Spending on lobbying was already sluggish this year, but outlays dropped from nearly $822 million between April 1 and June 30 to $738.6 million in the most recent quarter. While the third quarter is typically the slowest of…
Political nonprofit spent nearly 100 percent of funds to elect Tillis in '14
October 20, 2015 | Update, Oct. 27: See the Center for Responsive Politics' op-ed in the New York Times about how the case of Carolina Rising challenges the IRS and the FEC to enforce the law. A social welfare group called Carolina Rising spent 97 percent of the money it raised in the 2014 midterm elections — nearly $5…
Boehner raised nearly $100 million over career, gave much of it to party and candidates
September 25, 2015 | Whatever else is said about him, you can't say he didn't share. Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) raised $97 million for his House campaigns and leadership PAC from the time he received his first donations in 1989, Center for Responsive Politics data shows — far more than any other sitting House member. Only Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lamar…
Rubio campaign gives $120,000 in refunds for excessive donations
September 14, 2015 | Sen. Marco Rubio's (R-Fla.) presidential campaign has given back more than $120,000 to individuals who donated more money than the campaign could accept under federal regulations during the second quarter of this year, according to a Sept. 10 letter from the group's treasurer to the Federal Election Commission. The campaign issued refunds of between $3.05 and $10,000…
Among top lobbying spenders, AMA nearly doubles outlays in second quarter
July 21, 2015 | Second quarter lobbying reports are in, showing some big jumps among the top spenders of the period from April 1 through June 30, including the American Medical Association and General Electric. No surprise that the largest spender was the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which laid out $23.1 million in the last three months, up from…
At the National Constitution Center, all money is created equal
July 2, 2015 | Independence Day is just around the corner, and families across America will be in search of fun (and maybe even educational) activities to participate in over the weekend. For anyone in Philadelphia — where both the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were approved and signed, a good place to start would be the National…
New York lawmaker raises funds in Puerto Rico amid debt crisis
July 1, 2015 | Never mind that Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is an ambitious but still relatively unknown Republican from upstate New York. Thanks to her political connections, she has fans in Puerto Rico. And Puerto Ricans may be counting their friends in Washington. With an imminent debt crisis looming over the Caribbean commonwealth that threatens the U.S. municipal bond market, Puerto…
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…
Monsanto's latest bid could test its lobbying might
June 12, 2015 | The bid by the world's largest seller of crop seeds, Monsanto, to take over the world's largest seller of pesticides, Swiss giant Syngenta AG, may never come to fruition. At the moment, Sygenta is rejecting the overture, arguing that the $45 billion offer is inadequate — and worrying about the reputational risk of merging with…
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,…
McDonalds puts a smile on with Gibbs, whatever he may have said at White House podium
June 10, 2015 | In his new role as McDonald's global chief communications officer, former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs will "lead McDonald's in communicating clear, coordinated messages to internal and external constituencies, enhancing the brand and supporting corporate strategies," according to an announcement Tuesday by the fast food giant. That'll put Gibbs front-and-center conveying the company's perspective…
Who will fuel Perry's presidential bid?
June 5, 2015 | The former governor of Texas and 2012 presidential hopeful launched his comeback White House bid this week. Evidently Rick Perry's spirits have lifted since he dropped out of the 2012 race after performing poorly in the Iowa caucuses (well, there was that little brain freeze moment during one of the candidate debates). The question now: Who…
Harvard's billionaire benefactor also a GOP sugar daddy
June 4, 2015 | Founded in 1636, Harvard University is generally considered to be the oldest university in the United States. With a $36.4 billion endowment, it is generally considered to be the richest university in the United States as well. And Harvard just got richer, with some help from a big Republican donor. Yesterday, Harvard College President Drew…
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,…
Major Financial Players Lobby Around Obama's Investment Rules
May 1, 2015 | In the months since President Obama announced his support for new retirement investment rules that would stop advisers from pushing high-fee plans on small-fry American investors, several major financial organizations have lobbied hard on a bill that would undermine the commander in chief's agenda, according to recently released lobbying records for the first quarter of the year. The…
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 —…
Leading Edge and Legacy: Google and GE Join Top Lobbying Spenders in 2015 First Quarter
April 27, 2015 | The first three months of 2015 saw Washington consider one of the most expansive trade negotiations in history; the future of technology and the Internet; and the merger of major cable communications companies. You'd better believe that those debates — and other, perennial wrangles on subjects like the Affordable Care Act — caught the attention…
Will Clinton Win Back Wall Street for Democrats?
April 14, 2015 | Wall Street has been remarkably bipartisan for much of the last 25 years, but a swerve to the right a few years ago cut its flow of campaign cash for Democrats practically to a trickle. That may change as Hillary Clinton's official announcement of a presidential bid returns to the spotlight a Democratic candidate whom Wall…
Schock Campaign's Travel, Catering Bills Rival Those of Party Leaders
February 13, 2015 | Rep. Aaron Schock has had a bad few weeks. He's been mocked for redecorating his congressional office in the style of Downton Abbey, accused of selling his house to a campaign donor for an inflated price and savaged for his extravagant spending of taxpayer and campaign donors' money; that doesn't even include losing a key…
Repeal of Medical Device Tax More Likely With Friends Across Party Lines
January 29, 2015 | Nearly five years after President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, congressional Republicans have their best chance yet to follow through on a promise to undo part of it by repealing the medical device tax. A number of Democrats are on board for the repeal too. In fact, the tax is anything but a…
Who Cares About SOTU? We Have a Few Guesses
January 20, 2015 | The economy is growing steadily, unemployment is down, the stock market is soaring, gas prices are diving. Good luck getting a rise out of someone by mentioning the deficit at a Washington dinner party, something that would have been unimaginable in the not-so-distant past. There's plenty of good news for President Obama to dwell on…
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…
Wall Street's Omnibus Triumph, and Others
December 12, 2014 | In the wake of the passage of the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill last night, it's no easy thing sorting out the winners and the losers. The wide variety of riders and add-ons means a slew of interest groups can claim victory, even if it's hard to pin down exactly who should claim credit for stuffing the…
Battle in the Bayou: Gusher of Oil Money for Landrieu, Though Cassidy Leads in Recent Fundraising
December 3, 2014 | This article was cross-posted at TIME.com. The defeat of the Keystone XL pipeline bill in the Senate last month may have been viewed as a blow to Sen. Mary Landrieu's re-election bid, but her battle to get the bill passed was warmly received by members of the oil and gas industry, including Keystone's parent company.…
As FEC Window Opened, Subjects of Dark Money "Issue Ads" Became Targets for Defeat
November 3, 2014 | It's official. Today, spending by "dark money" organizations on congressional elections surpassed that of all previous cycles. At $169.2 million so far, money spent by these groups that don't disclose their donors handily outpaces 2010's previous record for a midterm election, where dark money spending topped out at $135 million. It even, albeit barely, tops the $168.6 million spent…
Congressional Leadership Fund Collects Corporate Cash
October 16, 2014 | Correction: The original version of this story incorrectly stated that Chevron Corp. made a $2 million donation to CLF. It has been corrected to reflect the actual amount of the donation, $1 million. Chevron Corp. donated $1 million to a conservative super PAC with ties to Karl Rove's dark money network in early July, a rare instance of…
In New York's 19th, Cash is Always Greener
August 1, 2014 | In New York's 19th district, a race between a former Army colonel, Republican Rep. Chris Gibson, and Sean Eldridge, the husband of Facebook co-founder and The New Republic publisher Chris Hughes, would seem to be a study in contrasts. And yet their fundraising style isn't so different: both have a donor base that is spread far and…
Immigration, Net Neutrality Help Trigger Big Spending Increases in 2nd Quarter Lobbying
July 30, 2014 | Lobbying filings for the second quarter show that the public debate often seeps into the advocacy efforts of companies. This year: immigration, net neutrality and the right to channel a broadcast program using a tiny antenna have caused several companies to spend big in order to influence legislators. Meanwhile, some topics, including gun rights and defense spending,…
Lobbying in First Six Months Almost Level With Previous Year
July 30, 2014 | Spending on K Street through the first half of this year is barely lower than it was last year — perhaps an early sign that the lobbying industry is coming out of its slide. Federal lobbying expenditures have slipped from a high of $3.55 billion in 2010 to $3.23 billion last year, for reasons not fully…
The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, Brought To You By Wall Street, Real Estate Developers and Insurance Companies
July 24, 2014 | Who says Congress can't get anything done? The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, first passed in the aftermath of 9/11 to relieve insurers of deep losses in connection with terrorist acts, was reauthorized easily in the Senate last week. The extremely deep pockets of industries that lobbied aggressively for the bill might have had something to…
Scalise Victory Upends Conventional Wisdom on Leadership Cash
June 19, 2014 | Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) triumphantly took his spot as the No. 2 Republican in the House this afternoon, stepping up from No. 3. But Rep. Pete Roskam (R-Ill.), who was one rung lower on the ladder as deputy whip, did not manage to ride McCarthy's coattails. Instead, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) became majority whip —…
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…
Is K Street Down the Road for Cantor?
June 13, 2014 | Though it has now come to a screeching finish, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.)'s leadership position in the House has brought him enduring connections, political clout and insider knowledge — in other words, potent K Street cred. "He brings incredible contacts with the whole Republican caucus in both houses" of Congress, said Ivan H. Adler, a…
More Insiders Aim to Move Up Leadership Chain
June 13, 2014 | Most Washington insiders seem convinced that House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will take over for Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) at the end of July; then again, most of these people were convinced Cantor would cruise to an easy re-election. But if the real race now is to see who takes over as Majority Whip,…
McConnell May Coast on Tuesday, but the Money is Still Big
May 16, 2014 | Matt Bevin was considered, at one time, a possibly serious threat to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). No more: When Republican voters go to the polls on Tuesday to select their nominee, McConnell will likely win by a wide margin. Still, the early threat froom Bevin has helped push fundraising in the race sky-high. The two GOP…
How 2014 Is Shaping Up to be the Darkest Money Election to Date
April 30, 2014 | This article is cross-posted to The Daily Beast. When it comes to voters' knowledge about the deep-pocketed donors who are trying to influence their vote, the 2014 election cycle is on track to be the darkest election in recent history. And that's saying a lot, as each of the last three elections has shattered dark money…
Banking Industry Has Connections to Shape Mortgage Overhaul
April 18, 2014 | As the Senate Banking Committee prepares to vote on a new bill overhauling the mortgage finance system, lobbyists from the banking and finance sector have connections and clout.
McConnell's Over-the-Limit Donors
April 3, 2014 | The Supreme Court didn't go far enough for Mitch McConnell yesterday, rejecting his argument that all limits on campaign contributions should be overturned. Turns out that about the same time, the FEC was issuing a warning to McConnell's campaign that 19 of his donors appear to have busted the caps.
Many Lawmakers Investigating GM Have Long Been Helped by Auto Maker
March 31, 2014 | As General Motors CEO Mary Barra prepares for congressional hearings on the automaker's fatal ignition problems, she'll see many members whose campaigns were laced with contributions from her company.
Flood Insurance Attracts Lobbying Dollars
March 24, 2014 | A bill just signed by the president continues subsidizing homeowners in flood-prone areas. Neither it nor a 2012 bill that would have done away with subsidies over time happened without a lot of lobbying action.
Waning Influence? Part 1: Tracking the "Unlobbyist"
March 18, 2014 | What's fueling the twin decreases in spending on lobbying and the number of people doing it? The first in a series of occasional reports by CRP as we try to get behind the numbers.
Sincere or Strategic, Lobbyists Give Big
March 12, 2014 | It's hard to sort out lobbyists' motivations for making campaign contributions. But the top recipients of their donations so far this cycle are a bit of a surprise: Top Republican leadership and at-risk Senate Democrats.
Real Estate, Private Equity Industries Fighting Camp's Tax Plan
February 28, 2014 | Any plan to overhaul the tax code is bound to poke the bee's nest of special interests, as Dave Camp is finding out.
Special Interests Heavily Involved in Farm Bill Maneuvering
January 30, 2014 | A five-year farm bill has finally -- after three years of congressional bickering -- passed the House, and could get final approval from the Senate as soon as today. Crop insurance came out the big winner in terms of increased funding.
H.R. 7: The Money Behind the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act"
January 29, 2014 | The antiabortion bill, H.R. 7, passed the House yesterday.
PAC Man Trey Radel
January 28, 2014 | PAC contributions made up 71 percent of the almost $300,000 that the former television reporter raised in the first three-quarters of last year.
Divided We Stand
January 28, 2014 | State of the Union -- 9 p.m. tonight. But Obama's list of 2014 priorities may sound a lot like last year's roster, due in part to a deadlocked Congress that produced a historic year of inaction.
Assets v. Liabilities: How We Figure a Lawmaker's Net Worth
January 20, 2014 | How exactly do we come up with the minimum and maximum net worth figures for members of Congress? We answer some of your most frequently asked questions.
OpenSecrets Politiquizz: Food Stamp Fight
December 20, 2013 | Not everyone fattens up during the holidays.
Business Cash Rules in Alabama
November 6, 2013 | Business brought its money and muscle to bear, just as promised after the government shutdown, in the special primary election in Alabama. It worked.
Wellspring's Flow: Dark Money Outfit Helped Fuel Groups on Political Front Lines
November 5, 2013 | From 2008 to 2011, a mysterious dark money group called Wellspring distributed more than $17 million to front-line political groups across the country. An OpenSecrets.org and National Public Radio investigation into the group details who is organizing this group and how far and wide the group's money has been sent.
Calls for Reform Grow as SEC Considers New Disclosure Rules
November 4, 2013 | It has been over two years since 10 corporate law professors petitioned the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) asking for new oversight measures that would increase the transparency of corporate spending in elections. Alex Baumgart reports on the rule's progress, and why corporate political disclosure is so important to CRP's mission.
Key Figure at UnitedHealth Group Was Major Obama Donor
October 28, 2013 | The executive vice president of the UnitedHealth Group, which will be responsible for fixing the government's ailing healthcare website, has been a key donor to the president over the years.
Koch Industries Lobbied for Heritage Action Debt-Reduction Plan
October 24, 2013 | While the company said it had no position on linking government funding with Obamacare defunding, it went to bat for tying an increase in the debt ceiling to a 10-year debt reduction plan.
Campaign Spending Habits: Democrats v. Republicans
October 22, 2013 | With our spiffy upgraded expenditures database, we looked at how Democratic and Republican campaigns spent their money from 2002-2012.
OpenSecrets Politiquizz: Leader of the PAC
October 11, 2013 | Who's funding the top leadership PACs in both parties?
Rep. Spencer Bachus, Popular with the Finance Sector, to Leave Congress
September 30, 2013 | Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) announced today that he won't be seeking reelection in 2014. Here's a look at the money trail he left behind.
Corporate Interests All In for Vitter Super PAC
August 2, 2013 | Fund for Louisiana's Future, the super PAC backing Sen. David Vitter -- whether he runs for re-election or aims to be governor of the bayou state -- brought in $781,000 in the first half of 2013. A big chunk of that -- roughly two-thirds -- came from corporate treasuries.
Outside Groups in Kentucky Senate Race Fueled by Out-of-State Money
August 1, 2013 | Kentuckians for Strong Leadership may indeed be for strong leadership, but it doesn't appear to involve many Kentuckians. The latest fundraising disclosures show that its attacks on Mitch McConnell challenger Alison Grimes are being paid for almost entirely by people other than Kentuckians. By the same token, liberal groups going after McConnell don't seem to have any Bluegrass State money, either.
Billion Dollar Baby: U.S. Chamber is First to Hit Lobbying Milestone
July 23, 2013 | The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has spent more than $1 billion lobbying members of Congress and other officials since 1998 - by far a greater amount than any other organization over the period. The Chamber has no rivals in terms of raw resources devoted to lobbying - and may also have little competition when it comes to overall influence on the Hill.
Agribusiness and the Farm Bill: Wayward Dems Benefit from Contributions
July 16, 2013 | In the days leading up to the defeat of the original farm bill, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) proposed an amendment that would have reduced crop insurance funding to avoid cuts to the food stamps program. A largely party-line vote ensured the amendment's defeat. But it wasn't just the GOP that sank the measure: Eight Democrats joined the Republican majority and helped reject it. It turns out that many of these Dems have received significant political contributions from agricultural organizations that benefit from crop insurance subsidies, according to an OpenSecrets.org analysis.
An Unexpected Challenge to Enzi in Wyoming: Calling All Donors!
July 8, 2013 | In each of his three elections, Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) has made short work of his opponents, cruising to easy victories in the conservative-friendly state. But he may need to ramp up his fundraising -- he could face a primary challenger with ample name recognition.
Crop Insurance Figured as Key Issue in Farm Bill Debate
June 21, 2013 | The debate over the farm bill roiled the House this week, and crop insurance -- the new way to get money into farmers' pockets as direct payments are phased out -- figured as a key issue in the proceedings. Like the program or not, there's no denying that crop insurance firms have ramped up their political activity in recent years.
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.
Koch Industries, Business Groups Lobby Against Donor Disclosure
April 25, 2013 | Plenty of companies and trade groups are weighing in against being required to disclose their contributions to secretive tax-exempt groups that are active in the political arena. Just such a proposal may be coming from the SEC, and a bill is pending in Congress that would address the issue too.
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).
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.
Debt On The Hill: Some Lawmakers Face Fiscal Cliff Of Their Own
February 14, 2013 | Americans borrow a lot of money, and so do members of Congress. In 2011, lawmakers owed between $238.9 million and $568.3 million to various creditors, not including their home mortgage obligations. But it's not all student and car loans and carried-over credit card balances. Lawmakers borrow to buy planes and boats, and get involved in complex transactions involving lines of credit and margin loans with exclusive investment funds. And some carry credit card balances of more than $100,000.
Lobbying Again on Downward Slide in 2012
January 29, 2013 | Lobbying in Washington declined for the second straight year, to its lowest level since 2007. Wall Street, insurance, lawyers and law firms and other industries all took hits, but none more so than education. Patton Boggs remained the top lobbying firm in terms of billings, but even it saw less revenue than it did in 2011.
Realtors' Lobbying Budget Nearly Doubled in 2012
January 22, 2013 | Fourth-quarter lobbying reports show the National Association of Realtors to be one of the biggest spenders of 2012 -- with one of the biggest increases on lobbying spending over the last year.
Post-Sandy, a Campaign Cash Storm Warning
January 8, 2013 | Not many of those who voted against the Sandy relief package last week can afford to ignore New York and New Jersey as sources of campaign cash.
Capital Eye Opener, Jan. 7: Chuck Hagel's Distance From Defense, and More
January 7, 2013 | Chuck Hagel, President Obama's pick to take charge of the Defense Department, had little to do with the defense industry when he was in Congress.
Capital Eye Opener, Jan. 2: Bennett Poised to Register as Lobbyist After Sounding Off, and AIG Paves the Way for a Political Comeback
January 2, 2013 | Former Sen. Bob Bennett chafes at the restrictions on former lawmakers becoming lobbyists. He's registering on the very day his two-year cooling-off period ends, and he's sounding off.
Capital Eye Opener, Dec. 17: Manchin on Gun Control, S.C.'s New Senator and More
December 17, 2012 | West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D) is one of the few Democrats who receives campaign cash from the National Rifle Association, but this morning he said he was ready to talk about gun control.
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. 6: Healthcare Plan Architect Heads To Johnson & Johnson, Anti-Tea Party Super PAC Spent Big, and More
December 6, 2012 | A White House aide and major player in designing the health care law heads back to the private sector, anti-tea party super PAC CREDO spent big in the final days of the election and lobbying on soot gets messy.
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.
Capital Eye Opener, Dec. 3: Watts' RNC Buzz, DaVita's D.C. Footprint, and More
December 3, 2012 | J.C. Watts, who's being mentioned as a possible RNC chair, has some strong ties to shadow money. A dialysis company that's accused of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid has invested heavily in Washington. And Bloomberg's pro-gun control super PAC likely had an impact.
Capital Eye Opener, Nov. 30: Lobbying on Syria, Biden Goes to COSTCO, and More
November 30, 2012 | Lobbying on issues related to Syria has ramped up as the conflict in the war-torn nation has intensified. South Dakota's Tim Johnson begins to put his campaign in gear. And Biden pays a visit to a new COSTCO store, where any Democrat is likely to get a friendly reception.
Possible Secretary of State Candidate Has Millions Invested in Banks, Energy Companies
November 29, 2012 | U.N. Ambassador and Secretary of State candidate Susan Rice is one of the wealthiest members of the executive branch, and she has millions of dollars in the finance, insurance, real estate and energy and natural resources sectors.
Capital Eye Opener, Nov. 16: Whistleblowers, A Familiar Name in New Lobbying Registration Forms, and More
November 16, 2012 | Whistleblower protections eaten away by the courts are back -- and yes, there was lobbying on the bill. Meanwhile, the Torch is back, showing up on federal lobbying registration forms for the first time.
Mystery Firm is Election's Top Corporate Donor at $5.3 Million
November 5, 2012 | The biggest corporate contributor in the 2012 election so far doesn't appear to make anything–other than very large contributions to a conservative super PAC.
Capital Eye Opener, Nov. 5: Lobbying FEMA, Virginia Senate Race Cost Unprecedented, and More
November 5, 2012 | The debate over the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in post-disaster cleanups continues in Washington long after the crisis has passed. Also, the Virginia Senate race has cost more than $86 million, with outside spending making up the majority of that.
Capital Eye Opener, Nov. 1: Lobbyists Flood Insurance Legislation, Anti-Humane Society Group Gets Political, and More
November 1, 2012 | Flood insurance is a popular topic for lobbying; the group Protect the Harvest isn't what it seems; and Sam Zell, philanthropist and Republican donor (but you might not want to sell him your newspaper company).
Hot Race for Arizona Senate Seat: Jeff Flake vs. Richard Carmona
November 1, 2012 | It would appear that Jeff Flake holds all the cards in his campaign to win Arizona's open Senate seat. But despite having outraised his Democratic opponent, and having more outside spending going his way, Flake's move to the other side of the Capitol is far from certain.
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.
Nonprofits, Shell Corporations Help Shield Identity of Ad Backers
October 30, 2012 | In the 2012 election, nonprofits have been the preferred vehicle for donors who prefer to keep their identities secret. But with the right lawyers, super PACs, which are supposedly transparent about their donors, can accomplish the same feat.
White House Candidates Draw Funds From the Usual Suspects, but Poach on Hostile Turf Too
October 22, 2012 | With Election Day looming and the need for cash urgent, core constituencies for each of the presidential campaigns stepped up their support in the month of September. But each candidate also made headway fundraising from industries that have been stalwarts for their opponents.
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 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. 24: Gassing Up at American Crossroads, Goode Money, and More
September 24, 2012 | If American Crossroads founder Karl Rove ever takes a road trip back home to Dallas, he'll have some friendly options for gas and grub along the way. Pilot Corp., the company that owns and operates the eponymous gas stations and highway travel centers, as well as the Flying J truck stop chain, helped fill up Crossroads' tank with cash in August.
Restore Our Future Tapping Out?
September 20, 2012 | The super PAC supporting Mitt Romney sees its second monthly fundraising decline in a row, and spends triple what it took in.
Capital Eye Opener, Sept. 18: Citizens United's New Movie, Ways & Means' Closed-Door Meeting, and More
September 18, 2012 | Citizens United is back, four years later, with another hour-long documentary about another Democratic presidential candidate! We're trying not to get too nostalgic. But good luck finding it on your local cable lineup.
Capital Eye Opener, September 5: Party Time in Charlotte, With Corporate Cash Present
September 5, 2012 | After a week of political pageantry and Republican politics in Tampa Bay, the spotlight turns to Democrats this week, as they kick off their own party convention in the battleground state of North Carolina. Readers of this blog know all too well what that means: It's party time.
Capital Eye Opener, September 4: Institutional Investors Target Aetna, Unions Battle Outside Spenders
September 4, 2012 | A group of institutional investors demands to know more about Aetna's donations to shadow money groups and labor unions are pitted against conservative outside spending groups.
Washington's Influence Olympics: The Mile Run
August 6, 2012 | For the mile run, lobbying firms needed to employ the greatest number of people who had previously worked in government -- in other words, had been around the track a time or two.
2012 Election Will Be Costliest Yet, With Outside Spending a Wild Card
August 1, 2012 | The 2012 presidential and congressional elections will be the most expensive on record, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics estimates, though they likely won't beat 2008's number by much. Outside spending, though, is a wild card that makes predictions tricky, and it's clear that it will account for a larger share of the total than ever before.
A Heartbeat Away? The Money-and-Politics Veepstakes: Kelly Ayotte
July 12, 2012 | After being elected to the Senate just two years ago, Ayotte is in the running as a possible veep candidate. She's one of Sarah Palin's "mamma grizzlies," and has attracted lots of checks from other politicians' leadership PACs as well as from insurance and financial firms.
Capital Eye Opener, July 11: Obama Talks Taxes, Unions Spend Big on Politics and More
July 10, 2012 | President Obama is picking a fight on the extension of the Bush tax cuts -- an issue which, when last debated on Capitol Hill, attracted hundreds of lobbying efforts. That story and more in today's Capital Eye Opener.
OpenSecrets PolitiQuizz: Judicious Investments
July 9, 2012 | Which Supreme Court justice's investment portfolio could be affected by the health care ruling?
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.
A Heartbeat Away? The Money-and-Politics Veepstakes: Marco Rubio
July 6, 2012 | After riding an anti-establishment Tea Party wave into office in 2010, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has gone from being a relatively unknown state representative to a potential vice presidential pick in just two short years. Although some have reported that GOP candidate Mitt Romney is not vetting Rubio, the campaign insists it is considering the 41-year-old Florida native for the VP slot.
A Heartbeat Away? The Money-and-Politics Veepstakes: Paul Ryan
July 3, 2012 | Although many in the Republican Party initially wanted Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) to run for president in 2012, they still may get to see him on the ticket as Mitt Romney's running mate.
Obama Health Law Stands: The Money Roundup
June 28, 2012 | The health care law stands, and so does the health sector's history of heavy giving to lawmakers, especially Republicans.
A Heartbeat Away? The Money-and-Politics Veepstakes: Rob Portman
June 27, 2012 | Portman's assets include the fact that he's from the battleground state of Ohio. But he also has a broad range of experience, and -- by the way -- is pretty good at fundraising.
OpenSecrets PolitiQuizz: Pro Golf's Lone Lobbyist
June 18, 2012 | A steady flow of politicians to fairways is par for the course in Washington, D.C. It's also true that golfing interests have beat a path in the opposite direction, to the nation's capital.
DREAMing on K Street, Lady Liberty Day and More in Capital Eye Opener: June 18
June 18, 2012 | One hundred twenty-seven years ago yesterday, the Statute of Liberty arrived on American shores. In the decades that followed, more than 12 million immigrants passed by, looking to her as a symbol of hope and freedom -- including the freedom to write checks to politicians.
New OpenSecrets Feature: Top Lobbyist Donors
June 12, 2012 | If campaign donations facilitate access to power, a select group of Washington lobbyists will be scheduling many meetings on Capitol Hill after the 2012 elections. These deep-pocketed individuals regularly donate the maximum allowable amount of money to federal candidates (currently $117,000 per 2-year cycle). Today, the Center is releasing a new feature, displaying the top 25 lobbyist contributors to federal candidates, parties and outside spending groups.
Law and Lobbying Powerhouse Dewey & LeBoeuf Goes the Way of the Titanic
May 29, 2012 | When a giant New York law firm falls, the reverberations can be strong in the nation's capital. The firm Dewey & LeBoeuf filed for bankruptcy Monday, after shutting its Washington lobbying practice two weeks ago. Its clients at the time it closed included several insurance giants, such as Lloyd's of London and Aflac.
Mystery Health Care Group Funneled Millions to Conservative Nonprofits
May 18, 2012 | A secretive, well-funded group provided $44 million in 2010 to a host of 501(c)(4) groups, many of which were among the most active in airing ads attacking Democrats in the midterm elections. The Center to Protect Patient Rights was the source of more than half the budget of the group American Future Fund, for example. The Center's role in funding the groups has not previously been reported.
Obama Bundlers Include Many Who Are LGBT
May 14, 2012 | Ticket sales for tonight's Ricky Martin-hosted Obama fundraiser in New York sold out in a flash after Obama made his historic announcement about gay marriage. According to OpenSecrets.org data, about one in nine of Obama's top bundlers is gay.
Dog Bites Man: Lawyers for Obama, Wall Street Backs Romney
April 24, 2012 | This is no man-bites-dog story. Law firms led the list of top donors to Barack Obama's presidential campaign in March, while top financial firms were the chief backer's of Mitt Romney's bid. And the top industry donating to super PACs: wealthy individuals in finance. Overall, an analysis of OpenSecrets.org data shows, the candidates didn't stray far from their past fundraising patterns: industries that have been well represented in the top ten stayed there, with a few variations.
Unions Finally Make a Showing On Super PAC Stage
April 22, 2012 | Labor unions injected themselves into the super PAC story line in March to a greater degree than at any time yet this election cycle, increasing by 50 percent the amount given by organized labor in the previous 14 months.
American Future Fund's Wall Street Fantasy
March 13, 2012 | In an ad that started running at the end of February, the American Future Fund (AFF) tries to portray President Barack Obama as being cozy with Wall Street. Anyone who takes time to look at the facts (and that will be a small pool, AFF is likely betting) will find that the case is seriously overstated. And Center for Responsive Politics data is used to make a misleading point.
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.
Back to the Wall, Planned Parenthood Hangs Tough
February 7, 2012 | Planned Parenthood fields a tough defense. Anyone who didn't figure that out last week, when a breast cancer charity cut off the group's funding and quickly reversed course, could have looked at its lobbying expenditures for 2011, the year Republicans re-took control of the house and posed a significant threat to its bottom line.
Wall Street Money Continues to Flow to Republican Mitt Romney
February 2, 2012 | Republican Mitt Romney relied on the finance, insurance and real estate sector for roughly $2 out of every $11 he raised during the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a new analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics of campaign finance documents submitted Tuesday to the Federal Election Commission.
Lobbying Expenditures Slump in 2011
January 26, 2012 | The nation's economy may be slowly rebounding, but during 2011, the economic engine of K Street sputtered. Overall expenditures on lobbying were down for the first time in more than a decade, according to research by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Looking Back at South Carolina Winner Newt Gingrich's Long Money-in-Politics Past
January 21, 2012 | Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has won the South Carolina GOP presidential primary, and despite claiming to be an outsider, he has been in Washington a long time.
California Republican Elton Gallegly Becomes Latest House Member to Retire
January 9, 2012 | Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.) has become the latest incumbent member of the U.S. House of Representatives to set his sights on the exit. This weekend, Gallegly announced his plans to retire at the end of his current term rather than seek reelection in a district that would pit him against House Armed Services Committee Chair Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-Calif.).
The Bowl Championship Series, Lobbying Edition: College Football Gets Political
December 30, 2011 | The ten universities selected to play in this year's Bowl Championship Series were chosen for their toughness and tenacity. They got the nod because any given Saturday their football teams displayed a willingness to win, and often did so. Perhaps it should come as no surprise, then, that these schools are employing similar tactics in Washington, D.C.
Who is Behind the Attacks on Dem Senate Candidate Elizabeth Warren?
December 12, 2011 | Nothing is known about the donors to Crossroads GPS -- a conservative group that, along with its affiliated super PAC, American Crossroads -- plans to spend $240 million during the 2012 election cycle. But the finance, insurance and real estate sector accounts for $1 out of every $9 that American Crossroads has raised. Yet Crossroads GPS recently slammed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren for allegedly being too close to Big Finance.
How Wealthy are President Barack Obama and His Cabinet?
December 1, 2011 | President Barack Obama may be the leader of the free world, but he's far from the wealthiest person in his cabinet, according to research by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Which Democrat Will Next Head the House Financial Services Committee?
November 29, 2011 | With upcoming retirement of Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), House Democrats will be vying for the role of top dog on the House Financial Services Committee, where Frank has been the highest ranking Democrat since 2003. Like Frank, many of the other high-ranking Democrats on the committee exhibit intimate ties with the industries with interests before them. Here's a primer on who could be next in line for the reigns of Democratic power after Frank's departure next year.
Barney Frank, Top Democrat on Powerful House Financial Services Committee, to Retire
November 29, 2011 | Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) announced earlier today that he would not seek re-election. Frank, who is in his 16th term in the U.S. House of Representatives, is the highest ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee. In recent years especially, he's been a prolific fund-raiser, often raising huge sums from the industries that the Financial Services Committee regulates.
Where Will Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Charlie Gonzalez Land After Retirement Next Year?
November 28, 2011 | Is the lure of the private sector too much for Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-Texas)? Over the weekend, Gonzalez, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a seven-term congressman, announced that he would not seek re-election at the end of his term next year.
One-Percent Pols Visit Occupy Sites, Pelosi Helps Rangel Raise Cash And More in Capital Eye Opener: Nov. 16
November 15, 2011 | Protesters in the Occupy movement have kept their distance from lawmakers, but a few Democratic lawmakers have taken it upon themselves to show solidarity with the protesters by visiting the protest sites in person. Problem is, some of those politicians count themselves among the very same elite 'one-percent' class the movement is railing against.
Norquist's 'Super' Influence, Lawmakers Use Insider Status on Stock Market and More in Capital Eye Opener: Nov. 15
November 15, 2011 | As the deadline approaches for the supercommittee to agree on $1.2 trillion in cuts to the federal budget, the influence of one unelected player may make the difference, the Wall Street Journal reported. Antitax advocate Grover Norquist could be a big reason for the supercommittee's stalemate, thanks in part to his nonprofit's deep pockets.
Bankrupt Alabama County Full of Prolific Campaign Donors, Abortion Fights Brew and More in Capital Eye Opener: Nov. 14
November 14, 2011 | Despite the move last week by Jefferson County, Ala., to file for bankruptcy, the residents of the region have continually been among the most generous Alabamians in terms of their campaign contributions.
Health Sector Groups Most Aggressively Lobby the Supercommittee
November 2, 2011 | During the third quarter of 2011, more than 400 companies, unions, trade associations and other groups reported lobbying the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, popularly known as the debt supercommittee, according to a new analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics of reports filed last month with the U.S. Senate.
Third-Quarter Lobbying Reports Reveal Who's Up and Who's Down
November 2, 2011 | Lobbying expenditures fell during the third quarter of 2011 for many of the country's most prominent companies, especially those in the energy and natural resource sector, according to a preliminary analysis of about 90 percent of all third-quarter lobbying reports by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Boulder Voters Weigh Corporate Influence, Cain Supporters Keep the Faith And More in Capital Eye Opener: November 2
November 2, 2011 | On Tuesday, voters in Boulder, Colorado passed a referendum protesting the notion that corporations share equal First Amendment free speech rights as people, and can therefore spend unlimited sums on political advertising.
OpenSecrets.org Details What Special Interest Groups Spent Most on Third-Quarter Lobbying
October 31, 2011 | During the third quarter of 2011, more than 10,000 individual lobbyists actively worked to advance the interests of their clients and monitored political developments in the nation's capital. That's roughly 20 lobbyists for every member of Congress.
Health Sector, Lawyers, Hollywood and Tech Industry Favor Obama With Campaign Cash
October 25, 2011 | Though President Barack Obama may no longer be Wall Street's preferred candidate, Obama continues to win the support of several smaller sectors and interest groups, including lawyers, health professionals, the technology industry and Hollywood.
As Presidential Candidates Seek Finance Sector Money, Wall Street Donors Flock Most to Mitt Romney
October 17, 2011 | The finance sector accounts for more than 23 percent of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's total war chest, more than any other candidate. Moreover, Romney has received nearly twice as much as President Barack Obama from the finance, insurance and real estate sector.
Barack Obama: Fund-raising Juggernaut, An Abortion Rights Fight and More in Capital Eye Opener: Oct. 13
October 13, 2011 | President Barack Obama continues to be a fund-raising juggernaut, practically exceeding the fund-raising total of the entire GOP field combined. During the third quarter, Obama raised $70.1 million, his campaign announced today.
Ron Paul's Moneybomb Success, Mitt Romney Finds Support from the Big Apple and More in Capital Eye Opener: Oct. 3
October 3, 2011 | Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul's fund-raising this year puts him ahead of where he was four years ago when he also sought the GOP nomination.
Major GOP Presidential Candidates Mum on Plans to Disclose Campaign Bundlers
September 30, 2011 | As the third quarter draws to a close and candidates race to fill their campaign war chests, most presidential candidates remain mum on the topic of bundlers -- the well-connected fund-raisers who help bring in the big bucks and are often rewarded for their service.
Health Insurance Industry Opens Check Books for Mitt Romney, Barack Obama
September 27, 2011 | Research by the Center for Responsive Politics shows that President Barack Obama and his GOP rival Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, are the only two presidential candidates to have raised more than $40,000 from the health insurance industry so far this election cycle.
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.
Obama vs. Lobbyists, Elizabeth Warren Enters Senate Race and More in Capital Eye Opener: Sept. 14
September 14, 2011 | A report released last week by the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest, which uses data from the Center for Responsive Politics, argues that to President Barack Obama's attempts to reduce the influence of lobbyists in Washington have instead led to decreased transparency and harmed the public interest.
Corporations Represented on ALEC's Private Enterprise Board Are Big Spenders in Washington
September 12, 2011 | Twenty-three corporations -- including AT&T, Exxon Mobil, Kraft, Coca-Cola and Koch Industries -- compose the ALEC's "private enterprise board." On the national level, these companies have been mustering a juggernaut of lobbyists to target congressional initiatives and donating extensively to a number of candidates.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Steven Breyer Wealthiest Judges on U.S. Supreme Court
September 6, 2011 | Federal law requires the nine Supreme Court justices to annually disclose details about their personal finances. These records can reveal potential conflicts of interest and offer a look into the lives of the justices outside the chambers of the Supreme Court.
Labor Lobbying, Union PAC Contributions and More in Capital Eye Opener: Sept. 5
September 5, 2011 | It's Labor Day, and to commemorate, OpenSecrets Blog is offering a look at how labor unions spend money to gets things done politically.
Petition the White House Online, FEMA's Waffle House Index and More in Capital Eye Opener: Sept. 2
September 2, 2011 | The White House has a new online platform that aims to streamline government petitions. Called "We the People", the crowd-sourcing network allows individuals to create petitions calling for government action on issues.
Supercommittee Staffs Up, Twitter Makes K Street Move and More in Capital Eye Opener: Aug. 31
August 31, 2011 | The co-chairs of the 12-member supercommittee charged with chopping $1.5 trillion from the nation's debt have chosen Mark Prater, the chief tax lawyer for the Senate Finance Committee, as the new group's staff director.
What Special Interests are Bankrolling the 2012 Presidential Candidates?
August 30, 2011 | So how do the major presidential candidates stack up in terms of who is bankrolling their campaigns? OpenSecrets Blog investigates.
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.
New Feature on OpenSecrets.org Highlights Top Contributors to Debt Supercommittee Members
August 17, 2011 | Many special interest groups have invested heavily in supercommittee members on both sides of the aisle, including the securities and investment firms, the real estate industry and health professionals, according to new research by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Sectors With Much at Stake in Debt Talks Heavily Invested in Supercommittee Members
August 17, 2011 | The 12 members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction won't be legislating in a vacuum: They bring with them ties to particular industries and loyalties to particular issues.
Dozens of Donors Back Multiple GOP Presidential Candidates
August 11, 2011 | At least 325 individuals who donated $200 or more during the first six months of 2011 contributed to multiple presidential candidates, a new analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics shows.
MTV Turns 30, Health Insurance Plans to Cover Birth Control and More in Capital Eye Opener: Aug. 2
August 2, 2011 | MTV celebrated its 30th birthday Monday. For nearly MTV's entire life, it has been owned by a single parent-company: Viacom, which donated more than $237,000 to federal candidates during the 2010 election cycle.
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?
Near-Bankrupt Alabama County Once Hired D.C. Lobbyists
July 27, 2011 | As the nation watches the debt-ceiling debate continue, residents of Jefferson County, Ala., anxiously watch as their county commissioners decide whether to file for bankruptcy.
Ross Retires from Congress, Bunny Mellon Defends Edwards and More in Capital Eye Opener: July 26
July 26, 2011 | Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), one of the 25 remaining Blue Dog Democrats in Congress, announced Monday that he would not be seeking a seventh term, leaving his seat in a GOP-leaning district up for grabs.
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.
Obama Nominates Former Ohio AG, a Loyal Democratic Donor, to Lead New Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
July 18, 2011 | Between the 1990 election cycle and the 2010 election cycle, former Ohio AG Richard Cordray donated $71,080 to Democratic candidates and organizations, research from the Center for Responsive Politics indicates. His wife, Margaret, donated an additional $16,500 -- also all to Democrats.
Voldemort Defeats Potter in Political Contributions, Wall Street Warns White House and More in Capital Eye Opener: July 14
July 14, 2011 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics
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.
Union Contributions Low in 2011, Rick Perry Gets a Super PAC and More in Capital Eye Opener: July 7
July 7, 2011 | Union donations to federal candidates for the first three months of 2011 are far lower than donations during the same period in 2009 and in 2007, according to an analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Republican Presidential Candidate Thad McCotter Long Aided by Financial Interests, PACs
July 6, 2011 | In terms of fund-raising and name recognition, Rep. Thad McCotter (R-Mich.) falls a few rungs below his fellow conservative colleague Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) -- and several below Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.). But those details didn't stop McCotter, a five-term congressman, from officially joining the GOP presidential field on Saturday.
Ethics Watchdogs Scowl at White House, Big Media Discovers Bi-partisanship and More in Capital Eye Opener: June 21
June 21, 2011 | Your latest news and tidbits from the world of money in politics.
Lobbying Push Targeting Federal Regulatory Agencies Continues in Wall Street Reform Fight
June 1, 2011 | It's been more than 10 months since President Barack Obama signed massive financial regulatory reform legislation into law, but the special interests it directly affects are sustaining a federal lobbying onslaught now aimed at shaping the law's implementation.
Koch Industries and ExxonMobil Among Hundreds of PACs to Switch Party Allegiances After Election 2010
May 26, 2011 | In an election year where more congressional incumbents were ousted from power than any time since 1948, political action committees were quick to switch allegiances from one party to the other in the aftermath of the historic Democratic losses.
Lobbying on Guns, Abortion, Labor Spikes During New Congressional Session
May 3, 2011 | Several of the year's hottest political topics have witnessed the greatest increase in lobbyists' attention during the first months of the 112th Congress, according to a preliminary analysis of lobbying reports by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Big Companies, Special Interests Hire Private Congressional Delegations to Lobby Government
May 2, 2011 | In all, 43 different companies, organizations and special interest groups last year employed at least three former congressmen as registered federal lobbyists, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis indicates.
Nonprofits Expand Politicking, the Fund-Raising of 60 Plus Association and More in Capital Eye Opener: April 29
April 29, 2011 | A Center for Responsive Politics analysis shows that several groups that stated they would not accept corporate or union donations in 2008 did not adhere to such declarations during the 2010 election cycle.
Pace of Federal Lobbying Slows in First Quarter
April 21, 2011 | Facing a newly divided Congress and a murky legislative outlook in the near future, many of the nation's most active government lobbying powerhouses are slowing the pace of their spending, preliminary analysis of first quarter federal lobbying reports show.
Corporations, Special Interests Lobbying Taxes to Death
April 18, 2011 | Businesses hate taxes, which is why they love lobbying the federal government in a bid to keep them low, lower or less than that. And on this day -- Tax Day 2011 -- the Center for Responsive Politics pause a moment to reflect on the corporation, trade associations and special interest groups that lobbied most during 2010 on taxation issues.
House Financial Services Committee: Hotbed of Money From Financial Sector Interests
April 15, 2011 | The House Financial Services Committee is a furnace in which legislation affecting Wall Street is forged. It's also a hotbed of money from individuals and political committee committees connected to the financial sector.
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.
Congressional Freshmen Saddled With Debt Turn to PACs
April 14, 2011 | Many of the 87 House GOP freshmen who ran as Washington outsiders are now turning to K Street lobbyists and other special interest groups to help pay off their sizable campaign debts and prepare for their re-election campaigns.
Business Targets Campaigns of Key Committee Members
April 13, 2011 | It's no secret that corporations and special interest groups that dominate lobbying in the nation's capital routinely shower campaign cash on congressional committees directly affecting affect their business interests. But a study by the Center for Responsive Politics and The Fiscal Times found that special interests routinely target members of Congress who can do them the most good.
Financial PACs 'Invest' in Influential Freshmen
April 13, 2011 | Five House Republican freshmen who received substantial campaign contribution from the financial industry after the Nov. 2 election are taking the lead in trying to repeal or replace parts of the sweeping Dodd-Frank financial services reform law.
Paul Ryan's Health Industry Ties, Barack Obama's Bundlers and More in Capital Eye Opener: April 8
April 8, 2011 | Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) released his budget proposal Tuesday calling to cut spending by $5.8 trillion over the next ten years. Ryan himself is actually one of the top Republican recipients of political action committee contributions from the health sector.
A New DNC Chair, a Super PAC for Obama and More in Capital Eye Opener: April 7
April 7, 2011 | Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) is the new chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. She succeeds former Virginia governor Tim Kaine who held the post since 2009.
Michele Bachmann's Miniskirt, Fiesta Siesta and More in Capital Eye Opener: March 31
March 31, 2011 | Here's something you don't see every day: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) in a miniskirt with her top political donors and their companies embroidered into it
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?
Lobbyists Aggressively Targeted Democrats' Top Priorities During Barack Obama's First Two Years
March 10, 2011 | One out of every four groups that lobbied on any issue at the federal level during 2009 or 2010 targeted their efforts on health care reform, financial regulatory reform, the stimulus and cap-and-trade climate proposals, according to research by the Center for Responsive Politics.
What Unites Pete King and Keith Ellison, D.C. Spy Games and More in Capital Eye Opener: March 7
March 7, 2011 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics.
Republican Newt Gingrich Wants to Party Like It's 1995
March 3, 2011 | Former Republican Congressman Newt Gingrich of Georgia, who served as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 through 1998, is testing the waters of a presidential run.
New Study: More Than 130 Top Congressional Staffers Are Former Lobbyists
March 2, 2011 | At least 130 current congressional chiefs of staff and legislative directors are former lobbyists, new research by the Center for Responsive Politics and Remapping Debate indicates.
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.
Looking Back at the Political Past of Former AIG Executive Joseph Cassano, Financial Crisis' 'Patient Zero'
February 28, 2011 | Investor Joseph Cassano, who was fired from insurance giant AIG three years ago this week, has been called "patient zero" of the financial crisis. Before his fall from grace, Cassano generously supported a few favored politicians, especially former Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who served as the chairman of the powerful Senate Banking Committee.
Google, Facebook Lead New Generation of Technology Companies Pressing Government for Favorable Treatment
February 17, 2011 | For Google and Facebook, the president serving as their pitchman is indicative of their meteoric rise both outside and within Washington, D.C. And it marks how the political landscape has rapidly shifted for computer and Internet companies, with Washington nonentities of just a few years ago now ranking among the most prominent players in the capital.
Rep. Chris Lee, Resigning Amid Sex-Tinged Scandal, Had Been Strongly Supported By Conservatives
February 9, 2011 | Rep. Chris Lee (R-N.Y.), who resigned from Congress this evening after website Gawker published a shirtless photo of the married politico that he e-mailed to a woman he met on Craigslist, had previously enjoyed solid conservative backing, the Center for Responsive Politics finds.
Daily Show Contributors, Like Cable News Brethren, Walk Tightrope With Political Donations
February 8, 2011 | Many bona fide news organizations have conflict-of-interest rules that prohibit employees from making financial contributions to politicians. But such rules in the world of cable news have become murkier -- even for programs who market "fake news," as the Daily Show has defined its product. And fake or not, the Daily Show, which routinely interviews powerful politicians, is viewed by many Americans as a legitimate news source.
Federal Lobbying Expenditures Plateau After Years of Rapid Growth
February 4, 2011 | The nation's financial malaise is finally catching up to K Street, where federal lobbying activity plateaued for the first time in a decade, the Center for Responsive Politics' research indicates. After a record $3.49 billion in lobbying spending in 2009, lobbying expenditures in 2010 by corporations, unions, trade associations, universities and other organizations will, at most, eclipse that amount by the narrowest of margins.
Earmarks Banned, Parties In Debt and More in Capital Eye Opener: February 2
February 2, 2011 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics.
January Fund-Raising Mania, Secret Holds Die and More in Capital Eye Opener: January 31
January 31, 2011 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics.
OpenSecrets.org Provides 2011 Legislative Preview Ahead of Barack Obama's State of the Union Address
January 25, 2011 | OpenSecrets Blog offers a preview on the legislative priorities destined to shape political discourse throughout 2011.
Lieberman Retires, ChristinePAC Questioned and More in Capital Eye Opener: January 19
January 19, 2011 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics.
OpenSecrets Blog's PolitiQuizz: The Most Partisan States
January 10, 2011 | For this week's PolitiQuizz, we're asking you to find which states fall into a particular category -- to riddle us this partisan pickle....
Major Influence Peddlers Fill Capitol Hill Newspapers With Advertisements on Congress' Inauguration Day
January 5, 2011 | In all, 13 corporations, unions or special interest groups that lobby the federal government purchased at least one full-page advertisement in today's print editions of Roll Call, The Hill or Politico, an OpenSecrets Blog review of the newspapers indicates.
Senators Supporting Ethanol Subsidies Reap Riches From Corn Interests
January 3, 2011 | In habitually partisan Washington, D.C., a bipartisan group of senators last week helped extend contentious federal tax provisions designed to aid domestic ethanol production. The senators mostly shared common ground on two fronts: geography and contributions from the political action committees of ethanol producers, high-profile ethanol promoters and the leading industry groups for corn, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis indicates.
Capital Rivals: U.S. Chamber of Commerce vs. SEIU
December 28, 2010 | This edition of Capital Rivals takes an intimate look at two of the biggest big players in politics: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Service Employees International Union.
Crossroads GPS Whacks Pelosi, Cornyn and Thune Contradict Themselves on Spending and More in Capital Eye Opener: December 16
December 16, 2010 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics.
House Censures Rangel, Fun with PACs and More in Capital Eye Opener: December 3
December 3, 2010 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics....
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.
Top Industries Put Brakes On Federal Lobbying Spending During Third Quarter
November 18, 2010 | Despite expending massive sums of money, some of the industries most active in lobbying the 111th Congress slowed their spending during this year's third quarter in the face of the midterm elections and a changing political tide, according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis of federal data.
Alaska Senate Race Called for Murkowski, U.S. Chamber Paid by Insurers to Oppose Reform and More in Capital Eye Opener: November 18
November 18, 2010 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics.
Congressional Members' Personal Wealth Expands Despite Sour National Economy
November 17, 2010 | Despite a stubbornly sour national economy congressional members' personal wealth collectively increased by more than 16 percent between 2008 and 2009, according to a new study by the Center for Responsive Politics of federal financial disclosures released earlier this year.
Convicted: House Panel Says Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel Guilty of Ethics Violations
November 16, 2010 | In a rare trial, a special House ethics committee panel today convicted Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), the once powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, on 11 counts of violating House ethics policies.
Lobbyists' Newest Targets in Wall Street Reform Battle? Federal Oversight Agencies
November 11, 2010 | While you we worrying about Aqua Buddha, and whether you were about to vote for a candidate who was a witch or wasn't, financial services companies and their hired Washington guns blitzed the federal regulatory agencies charged with crafting and implementing new tough rules for Wall Street.
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?
Democrats and Republicans Sharing Big-Dollar Donors, DCCC's Million-Dollar Pay-Off and More in Capital Eye Opener: November 10
November 10, 2010 | The Democratic Governors Association and Republican Governors Association share 48 top donors, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis of the group's top 100 non-individual donors indicates...
EXCLUSIVE: Confidential JPMorgan Chase Memo Predicts Congressional 'Gridlock'
November 9, 2010 | JPMorgan Chase, the $2 trillion bank and financial services firm, predicts that the newly Republican-controlled U.S. House will clash with the still-Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate to the point where progress on large legislation is completely halted, according to a confidential memorandum dated Nov. 3 and obtained by OpenSecrets Blog.
Some Corporations and Trade Associations Hedged Bets on Winners of Midterm Elections
November 5, 2010 | Some corporations and trade groups seemingly believe that no political party is inherently better than another. And they donate as such.
Embattled Blue Dog Representatives Face Voters, Financial Hurdles
November 2, 2010 | In districts currently represented by a Blue Dog, nearly one-in-five of the Democratic candidates have been out-raised, have been out-spent or ended the last reporting period with less cash on hand than their Republican opponents, a Center for Responsive Politics review of campaign finance records shows.
OpenSecrets Blog PolitiQuizz: How Much Did it Cost to Run a Successful Congressional Campaign in 2006?
November 1, 2010 | With Election Day looming for the most expensive midterm election cycle in history, this week's PolitiQuizz asks you to take a look back at what it cost, on average, to win a seat in Congress in 2006 – the most expensive midterm cycle ever prior to 2010.
Election 2010 to Shatter Spending Records as Republicans Benefit from Late Cash Surge
October 27, 2010 | Center for Responsive Politics predicts midterms could cost nearly $4 billion.
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.
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.
Abandoned But Still Fighting, Party Nominees Press on Without Establishment Support
October 5, 2010 | Maybe these unlucky candidates face a well-funded incumbent, or run in a district that doesn't align with them ideologically. Or perhaps they are just too quirky for the ballot box. Whatever the reason, these candidates face a harsh political Darwinism -- they have been judged unelectable by their affiliated party, and are effectively left to fend for themselves, come November.
Sen. Jim DeMint, Adopting EMILY's List and ActBlue Tactics, Pumping Cash into GOP Pockets
October 5, 2010 | Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), a Tea Party-loving conservative who wants to shake up and remold the institution he currently calls home, stands above other lawmakers in the frontier of creative uses of leadership PACs to aide fellow candidates.
Many Incumbents Weave Political Safety Nets While Dominating Competition in Money Race
October 4, 2010 | Not all congressional districts are created equal when it comes to the amount of campaign contributions flowing to candidates. Sometimes, the discrepancy between an incumbent's war chest and that of a challenger is only thousands of dollars. Sometimes, it's millions. And in many congressional districts, incumbents are blowing their competition out of the water.
Candidates in Hotly Contested Races Collect Big Money from Wall Street Interests
September 27, 2010 | Ahead of the November election, top 20 House beneficiaries of the people and political action committees associated with the finance, insurance and real estate sector have together collected more than $16.2 million from Wall Street interests since January 2009. Meanwhile, the Senate candidates and sitting senators to receive the most from Wall Street interests raked in more than $41.3 million since January 2005 -- the beginning of their six-year election cycle.
Republicans' 'Pledge,' Stephen Colbert Comes to Washington and More in Capital Eye Opener: September 24
September 24, 2010 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics.
'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.
Wall Street Aggressively Filling Republican Coffers After Many Months Supporting Democrats
September 7, 2010 | Wall Street-related political donations are bolstering Republicans' political fortunes this summer after financial interests suddenly -- and dramatically -- shifted their contributions away from the Democrats they had largely favored last year.
Recap of Tuesday's Primaries, John Boehner's Economic Interests and More in Capital Eye Opener: August 25
August 25, 2010 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics.
Oil Spill Bills Stall in Senate as Industry, Environmental Lobbyists Battle
August 23, 2010 | The oil industry spent nearly $75 million between January and June -- equivalent to the government budget of a mid-sized American city -- lobbying the federal government.
Economic Gurus Celebrate Birthdays, New Website Tracks Corporate Dollars in Elections and More in Capital Eye Opener: August 18
August 18, 2010 | Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics.
Insurgent Senate Candidates Fueled By Small Donors Test Establishment Picks, Upset One in Colorado
August 11, 2010 | Donors giving $200 or less helped propel anti-establishment challengers in both the Republican and Democratic U.S. Senate primaries in Colorado, where voters Tuesday backed a conservative Republican favored by many Tea Party activists and nearly ousted the third incumbent senator this year.
Wall Street-Related Political Contributions Shift Toward Republicans
August 10, 2010 | Financial firms and the people who work for them are increasingly donating their political cash to Republicans, a preliminary Center for Responsive Politics analysis of federal campaign finance data indicates.
OpenSecrets.org Adds Dozen New 'Heavy Hitters' to Popular Database
August 2, 2010 | There's a select fraternity of corporations and special interest groups that consistently bring the biggest bags of cash to political fights. At OpenSecrets.org, we call them our "Heavy Hitters," and this month, we've added a dozen new ones to our eponymous database.
Army of Lobbyists Raking in Massive Sums, Second-Quarter Lobbying Reports Reveal
July 31, 2010 | More than 11,100 corporations, trade associations, unions and other groups hired 10,500 lobbyists during the second quarter, the Center for Responsive Politics has found -- outnumbering members of Congress roughly 20 to 1. Overall, special interest groups spent more than $852 million on lobbying between April and June.
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.
Legislative Battles Drive Second-Quarter Lobbying Spending by Major Corporations, Special Interests
July 29, 2010 | While some organizations dramatically reduced their investments in federal lobbying during this year's second quarter, others paid out more in fees to lobbyists than during any other quarter since President Barack Obama took office in January 2009, according to a Center for Responsive Politics review of reports filed with the U.S. Senate and U.S. House last week.
Lobbying By Obama Administration Foe U.S. Chamber of Commerce Grows To More Than $44 Million This Year
July 22, 2010 | The lobbying powerhouse U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with its subsidiaries, spent a whopping $13.4 million on federal, state-level and grassroots lobbying during the second quarter, according to a Center for Responsive Politics review of new reports filed this week.
Bennet Leads 'No PAC' Romanoff in Money, Lobbyists Could See Enforcement Fees and More in Capital Eye Opener: July 20
July 20, 2010 | Last Thursday, Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Ohio) introduced H.R. 5751, the Fee on Lobbyists Act, which would require lobbyists to pay an annual fee of $25 to the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and $25 to the Secretary of the U.S. Senate for each client they have. Money raised would be used by to enforce the rules regarding federal lobbyists.
Millions of Influential Dollars Later, Senate Passes Wall Street Reform
July 19, 2010 | Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) voted against the Democrats' Wall Street reform bill because he thought it wasn't strong enough to prevent another economic meltdown. Feingold was in a position to stand up to Wall Street like few other senators. Contributions from the finance, insurance and real estate sector account for just 3.75 percent of Feingold's overall contributions over his career. Just two other senators have relied less on money from the financial sector.
White House Appointment of Baucus Staffer and Former Health Care Exec Draws Liberal Ire
July 16, 2010 | Liz Fowler, a Senate staffer who helped write the Democrat's landmark health care reform legislation after serving as a health insurance industry executive, is now moving up to help implement the new law. But her appointment has drawn outrage from liberal bloggers and activists who call it an unacceptable example of industry influencing policy and a violation of Obama's promise to end the revolving door between the lobbying industry and the government.
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.
State and Local Governments Aggressively Lobby the Federal Government in Hope of Federal Aid
July 2, 2010 | Take a little national health care reform, mix it with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and add a jobs bill. It's proving to be a recipe for state and local governments -- some of which are running massive budget deficits -- to spend near-record levels of money hiring professional lobbyists in a bid for federal aid.
Kagan Defends Against Republican Criticism, Wall Street Reform Reformed and More in Capital Eye Opener: June 30
June 30, 2010 | During the first day of questioning at her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings yesterday, Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan launched a strong defense against her Republican critics.
Bailed-Out Insurance Giant AIG Got Less Love in 2009 from Its Previous Lawmaker-Investors, New Reports Show
June 17, 2010 | Just 10 lawmakers held assets in the one-time insurance industry titan AIG, or its subsidiaries, at the end of 2008. And according to a Center for Responsive Politics review of those lawmakers' newly released personal financial reports, that number has further eroded.
Congressional Ethics Watchdog Investigating Finance Sector Contributions to Lawmakers
June 15, 2010 | Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, political action committees within the finance, insurance and real estate sector contributed $276,750 to eight House members at the center of a recently launched ethics probe investigating whether lawmakers received money in exchange for votes, the Center for Responsive Politics has found.
Financial Reform Bill to Be Finalized by Members Who Benefit from Wall Street Cash
June 10, 2010 | Democratic and Republican leadership in both the House and Senate have named 43 individuals to a conference committee tasked with hammering out the final version of the Congress' financial regulatory reform legislation. These members comprise just 8 percent of Congress, but they have been far more likely to benefit from Wall Street's cash.
Birth Control Costs, Military Misstatements and More in Capital Eye Opener: June 2
June 2, 2010 | BIRTH CONTROL COSTS: Should health insurance companies be required to cover the cost of birth control pills? Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Planned Parenthood are among those who think so.
Reversing 2009 Trend, Business Money Now Flowing More to Republicans
May 25, 2010 | Democrats have historic majorities in the House and Senate, but during the first quarter of 2010, the amount of campaign cash Democrats received relative to Republicans from all business interests dropped by about 12 percent compared to last year, according to a Center for Responsive Politics review of campaign finance data.
Senators Who Opposed Financial Reform Got More Cash on Average from Wall Street Interests
May 24, 2010 | Senators who voted against the sweeping financial regulatory reform bill Thursday have received about 16 percent more money from the finance, insurance and real estate sector over their careers than senators who supported the measure, according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis.
Campaigns of Few House Incumbents Fueled by the 'Small Donors'
May 18, 2010 | Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) don't agree on health care reform. They don't agree on energy legislation, nor do they agree on immigration. Politically, they may not agree on much at all. However, they do share one distinction. Both have received nearly two-thirds of their campaign contributions from donors who contribute $200 or less, the Federal Election Commission's threshold for itemized disclosure. By comparison, the average House member only received 7 percent of their contributions from such "small donors."
Arizona Diamondbacks Hit for GOP, Former Rep Bolts for Minor Party and More in Capital Eye Opener: May 6
May 6, 2010 | Perhaps it's a witch's brew of bad luck and worse geography that's propelling the Arizona Diamondbacks crosswise into a debate not about inconsistent pitching or subpar batting, but ... immigration reform. Or perhaps not.
Hordes of Hired Guns Earned About $19 Million Per Day As Lobbying Soared to Nearly $1 Billion in First Quarter
April 29, 2010 | Hoards of hired K Street guns are in high demand as President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats seek to implement grand legislative plans. And a Center for Responsive Politics review of recently filed lobbying reports indicates companies, trade associations, unions and other groups spent nearly $1 billion on lobbying during the first three months of 2010.
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.
Monied Lobbying Forces Gird for Immigration Reform Battle
April 27, 2010 | Hundreds of lobbyists are primed to swarm Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of a wide variety of business interests and ideological groups, all of which have a stake in immigration reform policy – Congress' focus du jour.
Dems and GOP Square Off on Wall Street Reform, Other Issues Crowd the Calendar and More in Capital Eye Opener: April 26
April 26, 2010 | A bill to overhaul the nation's financial regulatory system is due for a pivotal test vote in the Senate this evening, and all eyes will be on Senate Republicans, who promised to filibuster the legislation without certain changes.
Special Interests Continue Federal Lobbying Blitz, New Reports Indicate
April 21, 2010 | As President Barack Obama works with the Democratic Congress to advance his ambitious legislative priorities, lobbying efforts by special interest groups continue unabated. Lobbying reports for the first three months of 2010 were due to the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate by midnight last night, and a preliminary Center for Responsive Politics analysis of these reports show many major players continuing to shell out big dollars on their lobbying operations.
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
Focus Returns to Financial Reform, GOP Money Race in Kentucky and More in Capital Eye Opener: April 13
April 13, 2010 | FOCUS RETURNS TO FINANCIAL REFORM: Delivering reform to the financial sector remains a crucial goal for the Obama administration as well as Senate Banking Committee Chairman, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who faces a renewed lobbying campaign by banks and financial institutions hoping to shape the eventual legislation to their liking.
Democrats Pocket More Campaign Cash from Special Interests Ahead of 2010 Midterm Elections
April 8, 2010 | The cost of the 2010 election cycle is on pace to break the record for a midterm election, set during the 2006 cycle. And across the board, Democrats, who now control the White House and both chambers of Congress, are on the receiving end of far more campaign cash than they were four years ago, according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis.
Health Interests and Labor Groups Vied To Sway Blue Dog Democrats
March 31, 2010 | As Congress debated comprehensive health care reform, health industry interests' campaign contributions tended to target Blue Dog Democrats who opposed the proposal. Blue Dog Democrats who last week voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), which first passed the Senate in December, received an average of about $90,200 during 2009 from political action committees and individuals associated with the health sector and health insurers, the Center for Responsive Politics has found.
Sunshine Week Report Card on Government Transparency
March 25, 2010 | As the Center for Responsive Politics celebrates Sunshine Week this year, we commend the steps taken by the White House and Congress for greater government transparency. Neither the White House nor Congress, though, should rest on their laurels. Despite the good progress made via some specific steps, there remains much to be done. Here are a several matters that require attention this year.
Dems Take Heat from All Sides As They Strive to Maintain Status Quo on Abortion
March 23, 2010 | One of the lawmakers President Barack Obama's executive order won over was Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), who led a bipartisan fight in November to include stricter anti-abortion language in the House's version of the health reform legislation. By the Center for Responsive Politics' tally, Stupak is the only Democratic incumbent in the House to receive any money from special interest groups that oppose abortion so far this election cycle -- with a $500 contribution coming from the Right to Life of Michigan PAC.
ACORN Cracks, Barack Obama Signs Health Reform and More in Capital Eye Opener: March 23
March 23, 2010 | HEALTH CARE LOOMS OVER MIDTERMS: Today, President Obama will sign the comprehensive health care reform bill passed by the House on Sunday, and the Senate will began considering the associated reconciliation bill. With the main bill passed, many groups have now turned their attention to how it will affect the midterm elections in November.
Big Labor Gave Big Support to Health Reform Supporters, Health Interests Lent More Support to Opponents
March 22, 2010 | President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats achieved a major legislative victory last night as members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted to adopt the version of health insurance reform legislation passed in December by the U.S. Senate. Supporters of both measures received out-sized support from labor unions, the Center for Responsive Politics found, based on an examination of contributions to lawmakers' campaign committees and leadership PACs going back to 1989.
Number of Special Interests Vying to Influence Health Reform Legislation Swelled As Debate Dragged On
March 19, 2010 | Time has rarely been an ally of President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats seeking to enact comprehensive health insurance reform. And the longer they took, the larger the army of special interest lobbyists grew. By the end of the fourth quarter when both the House and the Senate adopted versions of the bill, the number of clients had increased by nearly 300 percent, the Center for Responsive Politics found.
Financial Carrots, Sticks Offered in Final Push for Health Care Reform
March 17, 2010 | Democratic congressional leaders, President Barack Obama and their reform-supporting allies are this week aggressively wrangling the necessary votes to pass health insurance reform legislation.
Congress to Obey Earmark Rules, New Business Group Gets Spendy and More in Capital Eye Opener: March 11
March 11, 2010 | Perennial earmark opponent Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) wants to force the House Committee on Standards to report what documents and interviews it conducted while last year investigating campaign cash-for-earmarks allegations involving now-disbanded PMA Group.
Barack Obama Holds Health Reform Summit, Joseph Cao Goes to Court and More in Capital Eye Opener: February 25
February 25, 2010 | HCR SUMMIT: At 10 o'clock this morning, President Barack Obama is convening a bipartisan summit at Blair House, across the street from the White House, to discuss health insurance reform. The televised six-hour meeting will include Democratic and Republican leaders from Congress, as well as officials like Vice President Joe Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Public Option in National Spotlight, But Rarely in Details of Lobbying Reports
February 24, 2010 | What do AT&T, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the Teamsters Union, U.S. Steel, Lowe's, the NAACP, the Colorado Farm Bureau and the City of St. Louis all have in common? Give up? They're part of the motley crew of fewer than three-dozen entities that reported lobbying specifically on the "public option" last year.
Lobbyists Earn $1.3 Million Per Hour As Lawmakers Log Long Days
February 16, 2010 | Federal lobbying soared to a record $3.5 billion last year, as lawmakers clocked long hours and worked at a pace to be, in the opinion of one congressional scholar, the most productive Congress in decades. This translates to approximately $1.3 million spent on lobbying for every hour that Congress was in session in 2009, the Center for Responsive Politics has found.
Rep. Patrick Kennedy Headlines Week of Prominent Political Retirements
February 12, 2010 | This week has seen a string of high-profile retirements in Washington D.C., including Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and lobbyist Billy Tauzin, the president of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). In addition, last month Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) announced his retirement under allegations of ethics transgressions. To cap the week off, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), son of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, announced today in a video on his website that he would not seek re-election after 16 years in the U.S. House.
Federal Lobbying Climbs in 2009 as Lawmakers Execute Aggressive Congressional Agenda
February 12, 2010 | The economy stunk. Corporations slashed jobs. And some firms, once juggernauts of American industry, simply ceased to exist. But for federal lobbyists, 2009 proved to be a year of riches unlike any other, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis indicates.
Lobbying Boom Continued in 2009
January 28, 2010 | More than 15,600 companies and organizations spent at least $3.2 billion on federal lobbying in 2009, the Center for Responsive Politics has found, based on a preliminary analysis of lobbying data filed with the U.S. Senate.
OpenSecrets.org Offers 2010 Legislative Preview Ahead of Barack Obama's State of the Union Address
January 27, 2010 | The past year proved to be a legislative whirlwind in Washington, with a new administration, and expanded Democratic majorities in Congress, tackling an ambitious legislative agenda against the backdrop of two wars and an economic meltdown. Twelve months later, the story is much the same.
Assessing Health Reform, Addressing Don't Ask Don't Tell and More in Capital Eye Opener: January 26
January 26, 2010 | OBAMA MAY ADDRESS DADT IN SOTU: Senate Armed Forces Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) announced Monday that he would postpone a hearing slated for this week on the military's controversial "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. News outlets are now reporting that Levin was asked to postpone the hearing until after President Obama's State of the Union address on Wednesday, so that Obama could weigh in on the subject.
Supreme Court Gives Corporations, Unions Power to Spend Unlimited Sums on Political Messaging
January 21, 2010 | Corporations, trade associations, unions and nonprofit groups still aren't allowed to make direct contributions to federal politicians, but today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that such groups may now spend unlimited amounts of money advocating for or against politicians. In doing do, the Supreme Court, led by Justice Anthony Kennedy, tossed out the distinction between individuals and corporations and their ilk when it comes to independent expenditures.
New Lobbying Reports Show Big Business Keeps Spending to Influence Politics
January 21, 2010 | While the U.S. economy had a tough year in 2009, the economy on K Street continued to boom.
Chris Dodd's Quackability, a Bank Tax Blowback and More in Capital Eye Opener: January 21
January 21, 2010 | Will Sen. Chris Dodd crack under pressure from the financial industry and opponents in Congress and drop the idea to create the independent Consumer Financial Protection Agency as part of financial regulatory reform legislation?
Massachusetts' End Game, New York's Need for Ethics Reform and More in Capital Eye Opener: January 19
January 19, 2010 | No need to wait for November for Election Day, as Massachusetts finds itself in the midst of one heckuva U.S. Senate race -- a race that concludes today with a special election.
Harold Ford's Cash For Gillibrand, AHIP's Cash Against Health Reform and More in Capital Eye Opener: Thursday, January 14
January 14, 2010 | FORD DONATED TO CAMPAIGN HE NOW SEEKS TO DEFEAT: Former Rep. Harold Ford (D-Tenn.), who once headed the Democratic Leadership Council and lost a 2006 bid for U.S. Senate, has been making waves for his public comments regarding a potential Senate bid against incumbent Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). But back in June, Ford himself contributed $1,000 to Gillibrand's war chest.
Final Stretch of Mass. Senate Race, Labor Leaders in the Spotlight and More in Capital Eye Opener: January 12
January 12, 2010 | FINAL COUNTDOWN IN MA: Conservative grassroots supporters came out in full force on Monday to support the candidacy of Republican Scott Brown, who is vying to fill the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.). Brown is facing off against Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley in a special election next Tuesday, January 19. His campaign reportedly raised $1.3 million on Monday.
Stakeholders in Health Insurance Reform Debate Gave Big to Senators
December 24, 2009 | Senators who opposed the health insurance reform bill passed on Christmas Eve received an average of nearly 30 percent more political donations from political action committees and individual employees of health and health insurance-related groups and companies since 1989, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis has found.
Capital Eye Opener: Tuesday, December 15
December 15, 2009 | OBAMA & WALL STREET FAT CATS: As Congress pushes through legislation aimed at reforming Wall Street and regulating risky trading products, President Barack Obama is pushing the top executives to get on board with new changes to their industry and increase lending to small businesses.
Campaign Cash From Wall Street Favored Representatives Who Opposed Finance Reform Bill
December 12, 2009 | Lawmakers in the House who voted against the finance reform bill collected an average of about $849,200 from Wall Street interests over their careers, while lawmakers who supported the bill collected an average of about $694,000, the Center for Responsive Politics found. This means members of the House who opposed the bill received an average of 22 percent more from the finance, insurance and real estate sector since 1989 than supporters.
Capital Eye Opener: Friday, December 11
December 11, 2009 | Using data from the Center for Responsive Politics, the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog reports, "34 members of the U.S. House of Representatives that offered amendments to weaken consumer protections in the House financial reform package received $3.8 million in campaign contributions from the financial sector in 2009, an average of $111,000 each."
Senators Backed By Pro-Choice Interests Block New Abortion Restrictions
December 9, 2009 | As the U.S. Senate weighs contentious changes to federal abortion policy, the Center for Responsive Politics has also found that pro-choice interests have given sitting senators roughly six times as much as pro-life interests have contributed to them. CRP has further found that senators who voted in favor of tabling an anti-abortion amendment offered by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) received an average of nearly $60,000 from abortion rights supporters and an average of just $80 from anti-abortion interests over the past 20 years.
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: Tuesday, December 8
December 8, 2009 | MAJOR SUPREME COURT CASE DECISION TODAY? Rumors abound here in Washington that today's the day the U.S. Supreme Court hands down its decision on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission -- a case that has the potential to notably change campaign finance laws at the federal level.
Capital Eye Opener: Friday, December 4
December 4, 2009 | HEALTH LOBBYING HEYDAY: Why has Pfizer spent $16 million on federal lobbying since January as Congress attempts to overhaul health care? The company "wanted to make sure our voice is heard in this conversation," a Pfizer spokesman told Robert Steinbrook for an article in the New England Journal of Medicine.
After Three Years of Tracking Money, Center for Responsive Politics' Reporter Signs Off
December 4, 2009 | My feet would have been aflame long ago had my calling to follow the money literally required walking along that shady trail between the bank accounts of special interests and the hands of federal lawmakers. Although I'm called now to a new adventure, I walk away with the utmost conviction that CRP's work is more relevant and important now than perhaps at any other time in its 26-year history.
Down But Not Quite Out: An Examination of Insurance Giant AIG's Waning Clout
December 3, 2009 | Insurance giant AIG's political clout is waning as fast as its finances. Since its near-collapse and government bailout last fall, AIG disbanded its lobbying team. It hasn't donated a dollar from its political action committee this year. Furthermore, contributions from individual AIG employees since January are merely a sliver of what they've been in previous cycles -- although a few notable politicians retain financial or political ties to the embattled company. Among these lawmakers is Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, who pledged to return contributions from AIG employees who got post-bailout bonuses but has nonetheless retained tens of thousands of dollars from them given before the bailout.
Capital Eye Opener: Thursday, December 3
December 3, 2009 | Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.) makes the second member of the moderate Blue Dog Coalition in the last two weeks to announce that he'll be retiring at the end of his term, leaving the Blue Dogs to find new members of their pack.
Capital Eye Opener: Tuesday, December 1
December 1, 2009 | Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) spoke yesterday with a local radio station about his affair with an aide's wife and his role in securing a new job for the aide. During the interview, Ensign called the affair a "huge mistake" and maintained that he "complied with all Senate ethics rules and applicable laws" in helping get the aide a new job in a lobbying firm.
Hedge Funds, Private Equity Firms, Payday Lenders Seek Financial Security from Congress
November 30, 2009 | Legislation aimed at regulating the securities and investment industry is as complex as the industry itself. But the trade groups representing these interests all seem to have at least one thing in common: they fear additional government regulation will damage their business, which especially concerns them given the ailing economy.
Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, a Favorite of Wall Street, Leads Regulatory Reform Fight
November 23, 2009 | Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) chairs the powerful Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Dodd is now spearheading new efforts to tackle financial sector regulatory reform. Over the past 20 years, Dodd's most generous campaign supporter has also been the finance, insurance and real estate sector, which is filled with companies directly affected by legislation shepherded by the Banking Committee.
Republican Senator Robert Bennett Seeks to Permanently Sunset TARP Program
November 20, 2009 | Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah) originally supported of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) enacted by President George W. Bush in October 2008. He later opposed the second TARP authorization under President Barack Obama, and he now believes that the TARP program has served its purpose and should expire at the end of this year.
Spencer Bachus: 'No More Bailouts'
November 19, 2009 | Although Bachus isn't new to the House Financial Services Committee, he's relatively new to the committee's ranking member position, which he assumed in 2007. Since 1992, employees and political action committees associated with the financial sector have given Bachus $4 million -- exponentially more than any other sector during that time.
Capital Eye Opener: Thursday, November 19
November 19, 2009 | Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) revealed his version of a health-care reform package last night, hoping to win over three moderate Democrats who are on the fence -- Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. All three have collected at least $1.3 million from the health care sector.
Insurers Seek Cover From New Federal Regulations
November 18, 2009 | Risk and uncertainty are as certain as death and taxes. So, to share the burden of risk and hedge against the full financial liability, companies have long offered consumers a variety of insurance products. Facing the prospect of new regulation, the insurance industry is on pace to break a record $154 million it spent on federal lobbying efforts last year. During the first nine months of this year, insurers spent $122 million and hired 953 lobbyists.
Barney Frank Pushes for Regulation Despite Financial Industry Funds
November 18, 2009 | As chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Barney Frank is busy this year in ways he may not have expected when he assumed the post in 2007, just before the country's economy slipped into a recession. Frank's promotion from ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee to chairman helped earn him about 37 percent more from the industries footing his campaign bills compared to the 2006 election cycle.
Democratic Sen. Jack Reed Envisions New Financial Regulations
November 17, 2009 | Viewed as a champion of regulatory reform, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) is an advocate of new regulations regarding financial markets, products and institutions -- including new regulation regarding credit derivatives, "dark pool" markets and hedge funds. Within the Banking Committee, he is chairman of the securities, insurance and investment subcommittee.
Financial Policy Tools Help You Follow the Money During Reform Debate
November 17, 2009 | Sure, our "Crossing Wall Street" series this week is going to be comprehensive, answering your questions about which financial industries are spending big bucks to influence the outcome of financial regulation legislation. But you might want to do some snooping around of your own. So we're providing the tools you need to do so.
Blue Dogs and New Democrats Find Friends on Wall Street
November 17, 2009 | Like the health care reform debate, financial regulation legislation has divided members of the same party, opening a rift between liberal and moderate Democrats. But unlike the health care reform debate, where the moderate Blue Dog Democrats have been rabid in their opposition to a public insurance option, a different group has emerged to voice moderates' concerns over financial regulation -- but both are magnets for cash from the financial sector.
Capital Eye Opener: Tuesday, November 17
November 17, 2009 | On Monday night, the Obama administration announced its intent to nominate Beatrice Wilkinson Welters to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. Welters and her husband, Anthony, an executive with UnitedHealth Group, co-founded the AnBryce Foundation in 1995, which provides academic and leadership programs for underserved youth. They also bundled at least $300,000 for President Barack Obama's committees and have been prolific campaign contributions to federal candidates and committees.
Crossing Wall Street
November 16, 2009 | As the United States continues digging itself out of a recession, the nation is poised to re-emerge in a dramatically altered financial climate. And after years of enjoying relatively little regulation, commercial banks, credit companies, hedge funds and securities and investment companies are facing the most extensive overhaul by the federal government since the Great Depression. Over the next seven days, Capital Eye will be following the special interest money in our "Crossing Wall Street" series as both the House and Senate tackle financial regulation.
Sen. Richard Shelby a Formidable Foe for Democrat-style Financial Reform
November 16, 2009 | Name: Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.). Positions: A fifth-generation Alabamian and University of Alabama alumnus, state loyalty flows through Shelby's crimson blood. So do conservative politics. Party loyalty is another matter.
Capital Eye Opener: Thursday, November 12
November 12, 2009 | Legislation in Congress is written in a dense legalese that frequently references other sections of U.S. Code. Given this fact, Nick Baumann at Mother Jones suggests that process reform might be better served by posting the gist of the bill online using plain English -- like the "conceptual language" voted upon by the Senate Finance Committee.
House Democrats Backing Abortion Restrictions Received Significant Campaign Cash From Pro-Life Groups
November 10, 2009 | Democrats who supported an amendment that added restrictions to abortion-related health insurance benefits received considerably more campaign contributions from anti-abortion interests than Democrats who opposed the amendment, the Center for Responsive Politics has found.
Opponents of House Health Reform Bill Received 15 Percent More in Health Industry Contributions Than Supporters
November 8, 2009 | The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of a landmark health insurance reform bill Saturday night, 220-215, and opponents of the measure have received an average of 15 percent more from health industry and health insurance companies, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis has found.
Capital Eye Opener: Friday, November 6
November 6, 2009 | Many people across the country were heartened by Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman's performance in New York's special election Tuesday. While Hoffman lost to Democrat Bill Owens after Republican Dierdre Scozzafava withdrew from the race days before the election, many on the right still called it a success. As the Republican Party considers who to run for federal races in 2010, how will these energized activists come into play?
Capital Eye Opener: Tuesday, November 3
November 3, 2009 | HAPPY ELECTION DAY: Voters today in Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Maine and elsewhere are heading to the polls to cast their votes in races -- some high-profile, some less so. How will the high-profile contests in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and Maine turn out? Leave your predictions in the comments!
New Edition of The Blue Pages Means You'll Never Shop the Same Way Again
November 2, 2009 | A new book detailing the political contributions and practices of nearly 5,000 companies goes on sale today, providing consumers with a powerful tool in helping them vote with their wallets.
Capital Eye Opener: Monday, November 2
November 2, 2009 | SCOTUS WATCH: The United States Supreme Court is poised to overhaul laws that govern how companies may spend political cash and that decision could come as early as tomorrow. A study by watchdog group Common Cause uses data from CRP to examine the potential repercussions of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission if the court decides to allow corporate political spending.
Federal Lobbying Boom Continues, Third Quarter Reports Indicate
October 30, 2009 | 2009 is on pace to be another bumper year for lobbyists. During the third quarter, corporations, unions, trade associations and other special interests spent $849 million on federal lobbying, bringing the year-to-date total to $2.5 billion. Perhaps not surprisingly, the sectors that could be affected most by the Obama administration's domestic agenda -- particularly health, business and energy -- have been some of the biggest spenders over the course of the year.
Capital Eye Opener: Friday, October 30
October 30, 2009 | USING FEDERAL BAILING MONEY TO SECURE ... MORE BAILOUT MONEY? Financial services giant GMAC is effectively broke. Federal officials -- and taxpayers -- may be interested to learn, however, that GMAC has spent nearly $1 million during the first three quarters of this year to lobby the very federal government it's begging for our greenbacks, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis finds.
'Round and 'Round They Go: Lawmakers Leave Congress for Lobbying Posts
October 29, 2009 | At least 44 lawmakers have left their congressional seats mid-term since 1990, and at least 16 of them went on to work at lobbying firms or at companies that hired lobbyists, CRP has found. Here, we take a closer look at a few of these individuals, examining which industries and clients they're now representing and the campaign cash they received while in Congress.
Capital Eye Opener: Wednesday, October 28
October 28, 2009 | LIEBERMAN OPTS OUT OF OPT-OUT PLAN: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) didn't win any fans among liberal democrats yesterday in announcing that he'd back a Republican filibuster of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) health care reform proposal. Since 1989, only 10 other current senators have brought in more cash from the health sector than Lieberman.
Congressional Opponents of Consumer Financial Protection Bill Got Big Money from Wall Street Interests
October 26, 2009 | On Thursday, the House Financial Services Committee approved H.R. 3126, which would create a new executive branch agency to oversee consumer financial protections, on a 39-29 vote. CRP has found that $527,500 is the average amount a committee member who voted "no" received from financial groups' PACs and employees between January 2007 and June. The average amount a member who voted "yes" received was $438,900.
Capital Eye Opener: Thursday, October 22
October 22, 2009 | CHAMBERS OF FRUSTRATION: No doubt the bigwigs at the lobbying powerhouse U.S. Chamber of Commerce are beginning to feel the frustration.
U.S. Chamber Dominates Third Quarter Lobbying As Large Health, Energy Companies Also Continue to Spend Big
October 21, 2009 | Some of the usual suspects with K Street clout have once again filed lobbying reports demonstrating their prowess on Capitol Hill, a Center for Responsive Politics review of newly filed third quarter lobbying reports has found. Leading the way was the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a leading opponent of many initiatives backed by the Obama administration.
Capital Eye Opener: Wednesday, October 21
October 21, 2009 | MCCAIN-FEINGOLD? ZZZZZZZ. We've been waiting for weeks for an outcome to Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which could very well change the nature of federal campaign finance laws as we know them. Nothing yet. But it's given us time to ponder why federal legislation always has such b-o-r-i-n-g names. (Shays-Meehan? Sounds like some sort of chronic thyroid condition.) Congress, let's get creative.
Capital Eye Opener: Friday, October 16
October 16, 2009 | A LIBERTARIAN STREAK IN WHOLE FOODS: John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods recently told Reason TV that he voted for Libertarian Bob Barr in the 2008 presidential election. According to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis, Mackey's sole contributions to federal candidates and committees have been to Libertarians -- totaling $6,500 between 1996 and 2000.
Barack Obama Nominates Politically Connected Ambassadors for Hungary, New Zealand
October 15, 2009 | Politically connected ambassadors will soon represent the United States in Hungary and New Zealand. President Barack Obama has nominated philanthropist and real estate developer Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis to be ambassador to Hungary, while he nominated lawyer David Huebner to serve as the nation's top diplomat in New Zealand and Samoa. The Center for Responsive Politics has found that both Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis and Huebner have been active donors to federal politicians over the past 20 years.
Support for Charles Rangel Wanes In Midst of Alleged Ethics Scandals
October 15, 2009 | Republican members of the House last week attempted to oust Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) from his powerful chairmanship of the House Ways & Means Committee for the duration of a House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged ethical misconduct surrounding his real estate investments and dubious personal financial disclosure reports. And although the effort failed and Rangel can sit tight for now, signs that he's sustained political damage are emerging.
House Financial Services Committee Considers Regulating Industries That Heavily Fund Members' Campaigns
October 14, 2009 | The House Financial Services Committee today begins marking up a bill that would create a new consumer protection agency and increase regulation of a number of financial products. Even as members of the committee consider how to prevent another economic collapse, they may have another financial issue in mind -- the industries opposing the measure have contributed $77.6 million to the 71 members of the committee since 1989.
With Little Health Sector Cash Supporting Her, GOP's Snowe Backs Finance Committee Bill
October 13, 2009 | The Senate Finance Committee today passed its version of comprehensive health care reform after weeks of marking up the bill. Sen. Olympia Snowe of Washington was the only Republican to vote against the measure. She has also collected less money than all other GOP members of the committee from the health sector, CRP has found.
Capital Eye Opener: Tuesday, October 13
October 13, 2009 | HEALTH INSURERS RELEASE NEW REPORT: On Sunday, a new study commissioned the health insurance industry group America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) claimed that the health reform legislation authored by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) "will increase premiums above what they would increase under the current system." The Senate Finance Committee, which is chaired by Baucus, is set to vote today on its version of health insurance reform legislation.
Capital Eye Opener: Thursday, October 8
October 8, 2009 | IS THE HONEYMOON OVER?: Pundits this week have been speculating whether President Barack Obama has begun to lose favor among the media and are pointing to a recent Saturday Night Live skit as evidence. But Democrats have maintained financial support from NBC employees so far this year.
Apple Approves Health Care App That Uses CRP Data, Plays Politics Itself
October 5, 2009 | Apple reversed course over the weekend and approved an iPhone app that uses CRP data that the company called "politically charged." Apple itself is not apolitical -- it spends cash on lobbying and its employees contribute money to lawmakers.
Lawmakers Get One-Two Punch of Money From Health Industry Special Interests
October 1, 2009 | A new collaborative investigation between the Sunlight Foundation and Center for Responsive Politics shows that since January 2007, more than 500 individual lobbyists donated roughly $2.8 million to 61 members of Congress who took money from at least 10 lobbyists and also received money from their clients' PACs or employees. Among the recipients were 11 senators who sit on the Senate Finance Committee.
Capital Eye Opener: Thursday, October 1
October 1, 2009 | GREEN POLICY MAKES THE CHAMBER BLUE: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce took another hit this week after Nike announced it would be resigning from the organization's board because of concerns over the Chamber's position on climate change legislation. As these groups sever ties with the nation's largest spender on lobbying, they won't be able to tap into the Chamber's vast connections with Congress on other issues.
Hidden 'Bundles' of Lobbyist Giving Show Full Court Press by Health Care Donors
October 1, 2009 | A month-long collaborative investigation by the Sunlight Foundation and the Center for Responsive Politics has uncovered never-before-seen webs of campaign contributions from outside lobbyists and their clients, who are all important players in the healthcare reform, to key members of Congress.
Key Senate Democrats Opposing Public Option Get More Cash from Insurers and Pharmaceutical Companies
September 29, 2009 | Lawmakers who sided with pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies today when they voted against a government-sponsored health insurance option have received more money, on average, from these industries than those who supported the measures.
Capital Eye Opener: Tuesday, September 29
September 29, 2009 | PROGRESSIVES PRESSURE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS: The Senate Finance Committee resumes its work today marking up its health care reform legislative proposal. At the same time, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America have launched a new ad against Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), encouraging him to support a public health insurance option.
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.
Capital Eye Opener: Wednesday, September 23
September 23, 2009 | MEMBERS OF CONGRESS DO IT BETTER: Georgia State University business professor Alan Ziobrowski says lawmakers often have an inside advantage to investments. Ziobrowski has analyzed more than 6,000 stock transactions over the past 15 years. "Senators make significant abnormal returns, some place around 1 percent above the market, 12 percent a year," he recently told National Public Radio. "They do better down market, up market. They just outperform the average."
Capital Eye Opener: Friday, September 18
September 18, 2009 | WATCHDOG NAMES MOST CORRUPT LAWMAKERS: The nonprofit ethics watchdog Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility in Washington (CREW) has released their fifth annual report on members of Congress who they deem have engaged in unethical -- and sometimes illegal -- behavior. Fifteen lawmakers made this year's list, including Sens. Mitch McConnell, Roland Burris and John Ensign, and Reps. Jesse Jackson, Jr., John Murtha, Pete Visclosky and Don Young.
Center for Responsive Politics Health Care Tools Help You Follow the Money
September 17, 2009 | Given the popularity of the four health care tools we provided in our "Diagnosis: Reform" series, we've decided to put those charts together in one place and update them as we get data from the Federal Election Commission and Senate Office of Public Records.
Symposium panelists agree: More disclosure of federal lobbying needed
September 15, 2009 | Amid a flurry of lobbying activity centered on health care reform, climate change, financial regulation and labor laws, a number of distinguished academics, reporters and lawyers gathered Monday to discuss the need for – and ultimately advocate -- transparency in the lobbying industry.
Insurers On Alert Have Given $4 Million to Committees Grilling Them
September 15, 2009 | A number of lawmakers have requested that insurers disclose their financial records, including details on executive pay and entertainment expenditures. Members of three of the committees to receive this information have also collected millions from these companies for their campaigns.
Capital Eye Opener: Tuesday, September 15
September 15, 2009 | THE RICHER AND POORER: Roll Call has released their annual 50 Richest Members of Congress list, finding that members returning from last year lost 10 percent of their wealth during 2008. Their top 50 are worth almost $171 million less than the previous batch.
Rep. Joe Wilson's Comments and Connections Still in the Spotlight
September 14, 2009 | Joe Wilson -- the Republican Congressman from South Carolina who is at the center of Washington's latest brouhaha for shouting "you lie" at President Barack Obama during the president's health reform speech before a joint session of Congress -- has long relied on financial support from health-related industries. Two of his top staffers have also lobbied and advocated for health-related clients in recent years.
Capital Eye Opener: Friday, September 11
September 11, 2009 | SLAP ME SILLY: Say you're a California assemblyman. And your name is Mike Duvall. And you hope to win re-election. And you're married. And you want to stay married. Then, please heed this advice: Make sure to reveal your love for spanking lobbyists with whom you're apparently having affairs while television cameras are not rolling.
No Lie: Rep. Joe Wilson's Money Woes Hit His Wallet Hard
September 10, 2009 | Partisans offer different takes on the political stock of Rep. Joe Wilson (R - S.C.), who heckled President Barack Obama during his speech before a joint session of Congress Wednesday. However, new personal financial disclosures show his personal net worth is definitely falling -- with somewhere between $375,000 and $815,000 of additional debt since the previous year.
Senate Democrats Appoint New Leaders on Agriculture and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees
September 10, 2009 | Leadership of two committees in the U.S. Senate has gotten a shake-up with the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.). Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) will take the reigns of the HELP Committee, which Kennedy had chaired. Then, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) will be the new head of the Agriculture Committee.
Capital Eye Opener: Thursday, September 10
September 10, 2009 | DOLLARS FOR DISRUPTIONS?: The liberal fundraising group ActBlue is directing individuals to contribute campaign cash to Rob Miller, the Democrat challenging incumbent Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who shouted "you lie" during the president's address. So far, they've helped Miller raise more than $100,000 since last night.
Capital Eye Opener: Friday, September 4
September 4, 2009 | NEMAZEE FACES ADDITIONAL FRAUD CHARGE: U.S. prosecutors say that high-profile Democratic fundraiser Hassan Nemazee defrauded not only Citigroup's banking unit, but two other banks as well.
Potential Ted Kennedy Replacements Bring New Mix of Special Interest Support
September 2, 2009 | The death of Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) has left Democratic lawmakers scrambling to fill his seat in the midst of intense debate over one of Kennedy's highest legislative priorities -- health care reform. We thought we'd take a look at some of the possible candidates and how their fundraising compares to that of the late senator.
Capital Eye Opener: Tuesday, September 1
September 1, 2009 | The health insurance industry won't discuss their top lobbyist's health insurance coverage; Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) includes a promise to defeat Obama's health insurance reform in a fund-raising pitch; and other money-in-politics news.
Capital Eye Opener: Tuesday, August 25
August 25, 2009 | ARE YOU JOE THE PLUMBER, OR JOE THE NEUROSURGEON? A little problem out in Tennessee. Seems that while state law requires gubernatorial candidates to list the occupations of their campaign donors, some candidates are simply ignoring the provision.
Health Insurers Continue to Woo Blue Dog Democrats in Congress
August 20, 2009 | The 52 fiscally conservative House Democrats known as the Blue Dogs and playing prominent roles in the nation's health care reform debate continue to collect campaign funds from health insurers at a greater rate than their non-Blue Dog counterparts, tCRP has found.
Capital Eye Opener: Thursday, August 20
August 20, 2009 | WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WEALTH? Have a cool gazillion dollars and a terribly boring life? Meet Virginia's contentious gubernatorial race, where you could donate every last cent to the candidate of your choice, thanks to abnormally liberal contribution laws.
Contributions from Health Sector to Lawmakers Increased 7 Percent in Second Quarter
August 14, 2009 | Federal lawmakers collected about half a million dollars more from the health sector between April and June of this year than they did in the first quarter of the year -- a total of $15.3 million for 2009. This slight boost is likely the result of the increased intensity of the health care reform debate.
Capital Eye Opener: Wednesday, August 12
August 12, 2009 | Your morning digest of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics:
Capital Eye Opener: Tuesday, August 11
August 11, 2009 | Get your morning dose of money-in-politics news with the latest Capital Eye Opener.
Capital Eye Opener: Friday, August 7
August 7, 2009 | Your morning round-up of news and tidbits from the world of money and influence in politics.
Capital Eye Opener: Monday, August 3
August 3, 2009 | Your daily dose of money-in-politics news includes the latest about the campaign finance regulation-related Supreme Court case Citizens United v. FEC and analysis of second quarter campaign contributions.
Capital Eye Opener: Friday, July 31
July 31, 2009 | In today's installment: Execs bring their plastic to the White House, Wall Street wages battle and the press can't get enough of our health care OpenSecrets.
Health, Energy and Finance Sectors Dominate 2nd Quarter Lobbying
July 29, 2009 | Want to launch your own investigation into second quarter lobbying expenditures? Start here.
Financial and Real Estate Firms Feel Economic Pinch as Lobbying Efforts Wane
July 29, 2009 | From families to cities to businesses, a terrifically awful national economy is causing most everyone to crimp their spending. Financial institutions and real estate firms, some financially marginalized to the brink of insolvency or beyond, are no exception, particularly when it comes to their government lobbying efforts.
Health Companies and Drug Manufactures Lead the Lobbying Pack During Year's Second Quarter
July 29, 2009 | During the second quarter of 2009, the pharmaceutical/health products industry and the broader health sector both spent the most cash on federal lobbying efforts. Many of the organizations involved posted six- and even seven-figure increases compared to the second quarter of 2008.
Capital Eye Opener: Monday, July 27
July 27, 2009 | Today, the Center for Responsive Politics begins a daily feature at the Capital Eye blog highlighting news, events, articles and off-beat tidbits from the world of money and lobbying in politics. We call it Capital Eye Opener — and we hope you begin calling it a part of your morning routine. So, without further ado: •…
Lawmakers Who Called Lewin Group's Data 'Nonpartisan' Collect Cash From Parent Company UnitedHealth
July 23, 2009 | For years, congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have regarded the Lewin Group, a Virginia-based research firm, as an unbiased, nonpartisan auditor of health care legislation. Yet as the Washington Post reported Wednesday, few who have cited recent Lewin data mention that the company belongs to a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, which opposes the public health option and has given money to the lawmakers citing Lewin's stats.
Wealthy House Democrats Spar Over Health Care Tax Hike
July 21, 2009 | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and first-term Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) seem like natural allies. Both represent staunchly liberal congressional districts and support creating a public health insurance option. Both are multimillionaires and rank among the wealthiest current members of Congress. Yet the two Democrats disagree over how to fund the health care reform legislation coursing through Congress.
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
Chris Dodd's Wife Financially Tied to Health Companies
July 17, 2009 | Jackie Clegg Dodd, the wife of Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), sits on the board of four health organizations from which she collected at least $4,000 in director's fees in 2008, according to Dodd's recently released personal financial disclosure reports.
HELP Committee Members Opposing Health Bill Backed By Insurers, Pharma
July 15, 2009 | Members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, who opposed a version of health care reform that the panel passed today, have on average received more money from the industries fighting against the measure's public health plan component than those who voted "yes."
Committee Members Speak Out–Or Stay Mum–On Health Care
July 9, 2009 | Over the past three weeks, Capital Eye has contacted members of five Capitol Hill committees responsible for drafting health care reform legislation this summer. Here are their responses (and non-responses) and the money they're collecting from various industries.
Fence-sitting Senators Say the Darnedest Things About Health Care Reform
July 9, 2009 | Interest groups have filled lawmakers' campaign coffers with cash, and spent millions on lobbyists to promote their positions. So it's not entirely surprising that some lawmakers can't make up their minds on health care reform. Here are a handful of examples of members of the Senate, who have tried to position themselves on multiple sides of the health care debate.
Congressional Lawmakers Invest in Their (Financial) Health
July 9, 2009 | As members of Congress assess the proper dose of reform for the nation's health care system, many of them have likewise invested hundreds of thousands of dollars of their personal funds into the very companies whose financial fortunes depend on what measures become law.
Unlikely Groups Enter Federal Health Care debate
July 9, 2009 | Though health care companies and consumer advocacy organizations are the most active players in the nation's debate over health care reform, non-medical groups are also lobbying to promote pet causes. They are shelling out considerable cash in the hope of influencing the direction of reform this summer.
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.
Democrats Chuck Schumer and Chris Dodd Stand Strong for Public Option
July 9, 2009 | Despite raising millions of dollars from the insurance and financial services industry during their careers, Sens. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) rank among the Senate's most vocal champions of the public health insurance option.
Unions Lobby to Thwart Health Care Deal Breaker
July 8, 2009 | Union members can't strike if congressional lawmakers ignore their health care requests, but they've threatened to walk away from the bargaining table if Congress begins taxing employer health benefits.
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.
Lois Capps, Nurse and Legislator, Gets Dose of Health Pro Funds
July 7, 2009 | When Lois Capps graduated in 1959 from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. with a bachelor's degree in nursing, she may not have had a political career in mind. During her 10 years of Congress, health care professionals--nurses in particular--have helped paid for her campaigns.
Rep. Boustany, Ex-Heart Surgeon, Hearts Market-Based Health Reforms
July 7, 2009 | Former heart surgeon Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.) has raised more than $971,000 from health professionals since 2003 -- his No. 1 industry backer. He is also a member of the House Republican Health Care Reform Working Group and a vocal advocate for private market reforms.
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.
Big Business Lobbyists Clash in Health Insurance Debate
July 6, 2009 | The first sign of fissures in the business community over health care reform arrived last week when big-box retailer Wal-Mart announced its support for a proposed federal requirement that employers provide health coverage for their workers. This pits Wal-Mart against the preeminent lobbying powerhouse, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Insurance Industry's Top D.C. Advocate Shells Out Campaign Cash
July 2, 2009 | As chief executive of America's Health Insurance Plans, Karen Ignagni has emerged as a central figure in the debate over health care reform. And like many other registered lobbyists, Ignagni has extended her influence and connections by opening her wallet to political candidates.
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.
Dr. Ron Paul Prefers Free Market Approach to Health Reform
July 1, 2009 | Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) is an OB-GYN who has delivered more than 4,000 babies. Since 1995, he has also collected $1.1 million from the health sector as he advocates for market-based reforms for health care.
Democratic Doc Favors Single-Payer Health Care For All
June 30, 2009 | Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) is a physician and psychiatrist who is one of the leaders of the House Progressive Caucus on health reform. He has long favored a single-payer health care system, although the health sector is his second largest financial backer.
Nursing Homes Fear Job Loss With Medicare Cuts
June 30, 2009 | The nursing home care industry is focusing the bulk of its attention--and likely money--on thwarting a rule supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and originally proposed by the Bush administration.
Baucus-led "Coalition" Receives Health Sector Dollars
June 26, 2009 | A centrist group of seven Senate Finance Committee members headed by the panel's chairman, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), is emerging as a decisive force in shaping legislation intended to garner bipartisan support, and many have long ties to the health industry's campaign cash.
Will $1.2 Million a Day Convince Congress to Buy Big Pharma's Rx for Change?
June 25, 2009 | In the first three months of 2009, the pharmaceutical and health products industry has spent more than $66.5 million on lobbying–an amount that translates into $1.2 million every day Congress has been in session. Just how much influence will that amount buy?
Blue Dog Bark Backed by Insurers
June 25, 2009 | There's a particular breed of lawmaker on Capitol Hill that is pushing hard against a public health care plan, much to the delight of two seriously moneyed special interest groups-insurers and pharmaceuticals. They're the Blue Dogs: moderate, vocal and funded in part by the industries trying to protect their bottom line.
Tracking Your Representatives' Health Care Cash
June 25, 2009 | Here's a cool tool that brings together data from various parts of OpenSecrets.org to show how much money each current lawmaker has raised from various health-related industries and the health sector overall since 1989 (including President Obama's haul).
Dentist-Congressman Advocates Private-Sector Health Care
June 25, 2009 | The ranking member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, Linder is also a former dentist and businessman. A former member of the American Dental Association, the group is also his No. 2 campaign donor.
The Price Isn't Right: Doctor-Turned-Lawmaker Opposes Public Option
June 24, 2009 | A former doctor, Rep. Tom Price's top contributors reads like a roster of America's medical groups. Out of the Georgia Republican's 20 all-time leading donors, only five aren't related to the medical field. Follow along as Capital Eye profiles some of the lawmakers who were health professionals in their past lives.
Hospitals Take a Scalpel to Reform Proposals
June 24, 2009 | The president of the American Hospital Association has asked its members in recent weeks to "push back" on any proposals from Washington that involve cuts to hospital payments. That could be quite the push--behind the interest group's effort is a history of powerful lobbying and a constant stream of considerable campaign contributions.
With CRP data, Sunlight Maps Baucus's Health Care Lobbying Network
June 23, 2009 | As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus is playing a key role in determining the shape, size, and cost of health care reform. The Montana Democrat's influence may be even keener as a result of the lobbyist web that flows from his office.
Health Professionals Stand Divided
June 23, 2009 | Health care providers may have the same basic goal in mind--to provide quality care to the sick--but the group splinters when determining the best way to do that and cut costs. The debate over health care reform pits doctors against nurses, primary care physicians against specialists. And each group is spending plenty of cash to ensure Congress understands their diagnoses
Senators Opposed to "Public Option" Haul in Health Care PAC Dollars
June 22, 2009 | Twice in the past week, statistician and blogger Nate Silver has used CRP data to analyze the relationship between political spending by the health care industry and key Senate players' stances in the debate over health care reform. While CRP cannot vouch for Silver's methodology, his research has yielded some interesting observations.
Former Senate Leaders Share Health Care Vision, Lobbying History
June 18, 2009 | No longer battling each other on Capitol Hill, a bipartisan quartet of former Senate leaders with tight connections to elite Washington lobbying firms released a joint health care reform proposal this week.
Insurers Fight Public Health Plan
June 18, 2009 | Health care reform could be the insurance industry's greatest nightmare or sweetest dream, depending on the fate of some of the most sweeping proposals. And insurers are hoping that the $765.2 million* they've spent on lobbying since 1998 will pay off now.
Drug Makers Cash In On Lobbying Efforts
June 18, 2009 | Pharmaceutical companies, like the insurance industry, strongly oppose any proposal to create a public health insurance option, fearful that private insurers would be marginalized and government price controls would limit what the industry can charge for its products. And with drug companies as the No. 1 all-time spender on lobbying, at $1.6 billion since 1998, Congress is bound to at least entertain their concerns.
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.
Wall Street's Greenbacks Fill Democrats' Coffers
June 10, 2009 | Although the economy didn't show many signs of improvement in the first few months of 2009, Democrats were benefiting more from Wall Street than they had in any previous cycle, pulling in 58 percent of all contributions that the finance, insurance and real estate sector gave between January and March.
Some Wall Street Interests Scale Back on Political Giving
June 9, 2009 | As the economic crisis continued during the first three months of 2009, many institutions in the powerful finance, insurance and real estate sector have scaled back on contributions to lawmakers, CRP has found.
Newly Approved Recipients of Federal Funds Spent $5.4 Million on Politics This Year
May 19, 2009 | Of the six big life insurance companies approved for an infusion of taxpayer cash last week, the one that has increased its lobbying expenditures the most since the start of 2008 is the one that has already officially rebuffed the offer. CRP offers our other money-in-politics observations related to these insurers.
Capital Eye Report: Congress Barks Back at Society's Watchdogs
May 5, 2009 | A Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing tomorrow will take a look at the future of newspapers and what, if anything, Congress can do to help the struggling industry. But journalists are at a disadvantage compared to other industries that can give campaign contributions and aren't publicly scrutinizing the lawmakers.
Vote Highlights Tension For Senators Between Constituents, Funders
May 1, 2009 | The finance, insurance & real estate sector has been the No. 1 career contributor to six of twelve Democratic senators who voted against a bill that the industry opposed.
Not Quite the Hard-Knock Life on K Street
April 30, 2009 | Given all of the variables, measuring the impact of the economy on K Street isn't exactly a science. But the Center for Responsive Politics has conclusively found that lobbying during the first three months of 2009 has actually increased slightly compared to the same period of time last year. Here you can check out how much which industries and clients have spent the most on lobbying so far this year and which have increased or decreased the most since the start of 2008.
Senator Arlen Specter Leaves the GOP, Will His Contributors Follow Him?
April 28, 2009 | Embattled Sen. Arlen Specter became a Democrat today, a move that could attract new donors and turn others off.
OpenSecrets Makes (Another) Appearance on the Colbert Report
April 15, 2009 | Anyone watching last night's "Colbert Report" on Comedy Central may have caught his OpenSecrets shout-out when discussing Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who is sponsoring a bill to regulate the payday loan industry.
Health Insurers Owe Policyholders, But Pay Congress Instead
March 26, 2009 | Members of a Senate Committee that today held the first part of a hearing to examine whether health insurance companies are failing to fully pay reimbursements to policyholders haven't had any trouble themselves collecting money from these companies. In total, health insurance companies' PACs and employees have given members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation $3.3 million since the 1990 election cycle.
Power Players: Winning Union Cash Easy Work for Chair of Labor Committee
March 26, 2009 | Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) became chair of the House Education & Labor Committee in 2007, after serving as ranking member for six years before Democrats won control of the House. Whether it's because he has played a prominent role on the committee for years or because he has dedicated himself to workers' issues, unions are unabashed supporters of the congressman.
Power Players: Senate Health Committee Chair Gets a Large Dose of Finance, Health Industry Funds
March 25, 2009 | Even as he deals with his own health challenges, as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) has committed himself to focusing on improving the quality and accessibility of American health care. Kennedy's interest in the country's health care issues has brought him money from various health-related industries.
Sunshine Week: Grading Your Government
March 19, 2009 | Happy Sunshine Week! In observance of the national government transparency initiative, CRP offers this money-in-politics disclosure report card, grading the federal government on its efforts to shed some light on the ties between its decisions and the private money affecting those decisions. Although the government has made strides in a few key areas since Sunshine Week 2008, it still has a whole lot of homework to do.
Before the Fall, AIG Payouts Went to Washington
March 16, 2009 | As long as everyone's talking today about AIG's payouts to its executives and foreign banks, let's remember the payouts AIG has made over the years to politicians. In the last 20 years American International Group (AIG) has contributed more than $9 million to federal candidates and parties through PAC and individual contributions.
Power Players: Senate Commerce Chair Hears Telecom Companies Loud and Clear
March 12, 2009 | New to the chairmanship this year, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) will have a chance to re-direct the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee as he sees fit. Before this year, Rockefeller's spot on the committee has attracted money from the telecom industry--money that he's gotten some heat for.
Following the money in the Wall Street shakeout? Start here.
February 25, 2009 | OpenSecrets.org has many, many resources for anyone interested in following the money as Washington policymakers craft their solution to the shakeout that continues on Wall Street. Here's a handy guide to what we've got online.
Keeping Tabs on Wall Street, Stimulus Efforts and the Bailout
February 25, 2009 | Since August 2008, when the economic crisis started making headlines and companies began asking lawmakers for some financial help in the form of billions of dollars, CRP has been taking a look at the political influence of companies and industries looking for a government lifeline. This archive contains what we've produced as we follow the money behind the Wall Street shakeout and the government's attempts to jump-start the economy.
Special Interests to Listen Carefully to Obama's Address
February 24, 2009 | When President Obama addresses the nation tonight in a State of the Union fashion, it won't just be Congress and members of the public tuning in. Special interests, too, will be paying close attention to what the president has to say about upcoming plans that could affect them. Capital Eye takes a look at the key issues Obama is likely to discuss--and the industries, sectors and groups that will be listening closely to his message.
UBS AG Helps Fill Lawmakers' Coffers
February 19, 2009 | Swiss bank UBS AG agreed today to pay $780 million to settle claims by the U.S. Department of Treasury that it helped American customers evade paying taxes by hiding their Swiss bank accounts from U.S. tax authorities. But that's not the only help that UBS has provided Americans. In the 2008 election cycle, the foreign bank contributed $3.1 million to federal candidates, parties and PACs.
Investment Manager Stanford Was Big-Time Campaign Contributor
February 17, 2009 | Money manager Robert Allen Stanford now has two things in common with embattled investment manager Bernard Madoff: both have come under scrutiny for allegedly defrauding their investors, and both have given significant funds to politicians. Between its PAC and its employees, Stanford Financial Group has given $2.4 million to federal candidates, parties and committees since 2000.
Power Players: Without Automakers' Fuel, Waxman Steers House Energy Committee in New Direction
February 12, 2009 | In a blow to the struggling auto industry that has financially supported Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) for years, the House Energy & Commerce Committee chairman was ousted this year, replaced by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), who hasn't received a penny from the industry. Instead, Waxman has collected money from doctors and health professionals.
TARP Recipients Paid Out $114 Million for Politicking Last Year
February 4, 2009 | The companies that have been awarded taxpayers' money from Congress's bailout bill spent $77 million on lobbying and $37 million on federal campaign contributions, CRP has found. The return on investment: 258,449 percent.
New RNC Chair Brings Fundraising Prowess to Post
February 2, 2009 | The GOP has selected former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele to lead its fundraising efforts as the chair of the Republican National Committee. Although Steele lost his 2006 bid for Senate, he raised nearly as much money as his opponent, Congressman Ben Cardin.
Power Players: Embattled Congressman Leads Ways and Means with Finance Money Behind Him
January 30, 2009 | Fixing the economy is a huge undertaking for the 111th Congress, and any measures to cut or raise taxes will have to win the approval of the House Ways and Means Committee, which Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) has chaired since 2007. This position has made Rangel a magnet for cash from the finance, insurance and real estate sector.
Washington Lobbying Grew to $3.2 Billion Last Year, Despite Economy
January 29, 2009 | While companies across the board were losing record amounts of money and laying off employees last year, at least one industry seemed to weather the recession: lobbying. Special interests paid Washington lobbyists $3.2 billion in 2008, more than any other year on record and a 13.7 percent increase from 2007, CRP has found. Corporations in the finance, insurance and real estate sector and automotive industry actually slowed or decreased their lobbying spending overall last year, relying instead on trade associations to represent them.
Wealthy Freshmen Increase Congressional Net Worth
January 28, 2009 | New members of Congress are worth $1 million more than the average incumbent, CRP has found after analyzing the lawmakers' personal financial disclosure reports. As they make decisions about the economy, freshmen and incumbents are heavily invested in the struggling financial sector.
Power Players: Struggling Financial Firms Are Banking on Dodd
January 27, 2009 | Although Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) is chair of one of the more powerful congressional committees, he probably isn't the envy of his peers these days with an economic crisis growing larger by the day. Dodd has put in two years as chair of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and is now charged with shaping legislation to jump-start the economy and help floundering companies, including those that have contributed to his campaigns.
Power Players: With Health Sector's Money Supporting Him, Baucus Offers Prescription for Reform
January 23, 2009 | As chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is a target for campaign contributions from Wall Street and the health sector. He's outlined his own vision for health care reform and his committee will have to decide if the overhaul is fiscally possible.
Power Players: Despite Industry Funds, Frank Cracks Down on Bailout Recipients
January 22, 2009 | Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., continues his role as chair of the House Financial Services Committee this year in the midst of an economic recession. But the money he's received from the finance sector hasn't won his unconditional support of doling out bailout cash to floundering companies.
No Logos, but Corporate Representation at Obama's Inauguration
January 15, 2009 | There won't be any corporate advertising on the dais, but a number of major corporations and influential industries will be represented at Barack Obama's inauguration by individuals who've contributed as much as $50,000 apiece--and bundled up to $300,000--to underwrite the festivities. According to a new analysis of inaugural donors by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, individuals associated with Microsoft, Google, Citigroup and many more companies are among the upcoming event's biggest contributors.
2009 Legislative Preview
January 15, 2009 | Within the next few months, it will become increasingly clear how the federal government intends to tackle pressing issues, including the economy, health care reform and curbing global warming. Those efforts, led by a Democratic president and an expanded Democratic majority in Congress, might look drastically different from those of the last eight years under Republican President Bush. What won't change, however, are the attempts by special interests to influence legislation. Capital Eye looks at which industries are spending money to shape the economic stimulus, health care reform, energy policy and labor laws.
Daschle and Democrats to Get a Dose of Pharma's Medicine
January 8, 2009 | Former Sen. Tom Daschle had an easy time today before the Senate panel that's considering his nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services, but he's likely to encounter far stiffer opposition to the Obama administration's plans when the job of reforming health care is officially his. The Washington Post used CRP data today to analyze the pharmaceutical industry's strategy--including its shift of campaign contributions to Democrats--in preparing for what could be a bruising fight.
Power Players: Cantor Whips up Support from Finance Sector
January 8, 2009 | A rising star among House Republicans from day one, Cantor will now replace Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri as House minority whip. In this position, Cantor is charged with corralling support among his colleagues for the Republican leadership's proposals. Capital Eye kicks its Power Players series off with a profile of Cantor's fundraising, industry support and personal investments.
Bill Clinton's Foundation Discloses Diverse List of Donors
December 18, 2008 | At the Center for Responsive Politics, we've asked former presidents for years to disclose the names of donors to their presidential libraries, which can accept unlimited contributions from anyone. It appears that all it takes to spur an ex-president to action is the appointment of his spouse to be Secretary of State. The William J. Clinton Foundation, which funds the former president's library in addition to his other charitable initiatives, today disclosed all donors back to 1997. Here are our observations and a list of the donors who gave at least $500,001.
Agriculture Nominee Vilsack Couldn't Cultivate Funds During Presidential Bid
December 18, 2008 | Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, Barack Obama's pick for Secretary of Agriculture, will bring to the position an enthusiasm for the marriage of agriculture and renewable energy that rivals the president elect's. He won't bring with him, however, the ties to campaign contributions from the agriculture industry that other candidates to the post could have, despite his brief bid for the White House in 2007.
N.Y. Times Examines Schumer's Buck-raking on Wall Street
December 15, 2008 | A New York Times front-pager on Sunday that examined the ties between Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Wall Street employed data from the Center for Responsive Politics. Schumer has received more money from the securities and investment industry than almost any other member of Congress since 1989-$6.2 million. (Only President-elect Barack Obama and other 2008 presidential candidates received more.) Using data from CRP and OpenSecrets.org , the Times reported Sunday that Schumer is a champion of Wall Street who has often sided with the financial industry in debates over deregulation.
Struggling Companies and Industries Still Found Funds to Sponsor Political Conventions
December 10, 2008 | Weeks before they turned to the federal government for rescue, companies such as AIG, Ford, Citigroup and Freddie Mac were among the biggest sponsors of the summertime political conventions that nominated Barack Obama and John McCain for president, according to a new analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, in collaboration with the Campaign Finance Institute.
Jefferson Loses Louisiana Seat to 2008's Lowest Spender
December 9, 2008 | Republican Anh (Joseph) Cao beat Rep. William Jefferson, a Democrat, over the weekend for Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District seat despite Jefferson's incumbent advantage and financial help from his own party.
Can Senate Democrats' New Fundraiser Win Over Wall Street?
November 25, 2008 | Under the leadership of New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee collected more than $12.8 million in this election cycle from the securities and investment industry, more than double what Wall Street provided before the New Yorker took over. But for the 2010 cycle, when he'll be up for re-election, Schumer is passing the DSCC baton across the river, to New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez.
Essay Winner: Campaign Contributions Stoked the Fire Behind Wall Street Meltdown
November 21, 2008 | The Center for Responsive Politics is pleased to announce that Kristin Schaaf, a freelance writer from Altoona, Iowa, is the winner of OpenSecrets.org's second Citizen Journalism Contest, which asked: "Did campaign contributions and lobbying by the financial sector contribute to the meltdown on Wall Street?"
Finance Sector Lobbied for Money…Without the Money to Lobby
November 21, 2008 | The surge of activity in the nation's capital to revive the country's economy apparently hasn't caused a torrent of lobbying funds by the insurance companies, investment banks, mortgage companies and savings and loans central to the government's actions. While unions, companies and organizations across all industries increased their lobbying expenditures 2 percent in the 3rd Quarter of this year compared to the first three months of 2008, the finance, insurance and real estate sector apparently scaled back, decreasing its spending by 9 percent.
Obama Selects Daschle to Head HHS
November 20, 2008 | By selecting former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) to head the Health and Human Services Department, Barack Obama is tapping the expertise of a man whose political campaigns in the public sector and salary in the private sector have been paid, in part, by the health care industry.
Waxman Vies for Chairmanship of Energy Committee
November 6, 2008 | California Rep. Henry Waxman wants Michigan Rep. John Dingell's position as chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and following the money that has helped re-elect both veteran Democratic lawmakers could be a good indicator of how the committee's priorities would shift under new leadership.
Perhaps Anticipating Reform Debate, Health Money Swings to Dems
October 30, 2008 | Widely perceived to be one of the nation's biggest challenges, health care reform will be at the top of the next administration's agenda, and a battle over proposed changes is certain. For the past 15 years, the health sector, which is already gearing up for next year's fight, has given more money to Republicans than Democrats. But with Democrats in control of Congress-and likely to pick up a few more seats next week-the tide is turning.
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.
Preview: CRP Predicts Cost of 2008 Election
October 22, 2008 | At $5.3 billion, the 2008 contests will add up to the most expensive U.S. election in history (and, thus, probably the most expensive election the world has ever seen). CRP will be releasing its pre-election analysis and predictions late tonight, but in the meantime, we provide a preview of what we've found.
Lawmakers and Insider Trading
October 17, 2008 | Should insider trading by members of Congress be illegal? ProCon.org, a nonpartisan site for examining all sides of issues, is addressing this sticky question, and they have used data from the Center for Responsive Politics on the richest lawmakers to help sort out the answer. According to ProCon, 45 corporations, spanning finance, insurance, oil, pharmaceutical, telecom and other industries, made the 10 richest senators' top five stocks owned, purchased and sold lists in 2007. Many of these lawmakers hold positions on committees that have influence over the financial success of the companies they are invested in.
As Economic Storm Brewed, Congressional Wealth Grew 13% Last Year
October 16, 2008 | An economic recession is looking increasingly likely, but the personal finances of members of Congress suggest they will be able to withstand the slowdown far better than most Americans, according to a new analysis of lawmakers' latest personal financial reports by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
Races to Watch IX: Wall Street's Favorite Candidates
October 9, 2008 | Not at all to the chagrin of oil and gas companies (and lawmakers who have received campaign donations from them), Wall Street is the new black for congressional candidates looking to link their opponents to an unpopular industry. As federal lawmakers have wrestled with an economic bailout plan worth $700 billion, candidates who have received contributions from the financial sector are on the defensive. Find out which candidates are filling their war chests with money from the finance sector in Capital Eye's final installment of Races to Watch.
In House's Final Bailout Vote, Money from Finance Sector Sided with Bill's Supporters
October 3, 2008 | Members of the House of Representatives who voted Friday afternoon in favor of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 had received 41 percent more money from the financial sector over their congressional careers than those who opposed the legislation, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics has found.
Industries Seeking Rescue Gave Twice as Much to Senators Who Backed Bailout
October 3, 2008 | The finance, insurance and real estate sector has contributed twice as much money to senators who supported bailing out the struggling sector this week than those who opposed emergency legislation, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics has calculated following the 74-25 Senate vote Wednesday night that sent the bill to the House of Representatives for passage this afternoon.
Races to Watch VII: Where Cash Has No Competition
October 2, 2008 | Like reading tea leaves, one way to predict how a congressional race is going to go is by looking at the disparity in fundraising between the candidates. So far this election cycle, 280 House and Senate incumbents on November's ballot have collected at least 10 times more than the opponent they face in the general election. In this installment of Races to Watch, Capital Eye looks into why some of these incumbents have been such successful fundraisers.
Races to Watch VI: Candidates Backed by PACs
October 1, 2008 | More than a quarter of the money raised by congressional candidates on the November ballot has come from business and labor PACs, not from individual donors, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Capital Eye has profiled some races where labor union and business PAC money is playing the largest role.
Finance Sector Gave 51 Percent More to House Bailout Backers
September 29, 2008 | Members of the House of Representatives who supported bailing out the financial sector with $700 billion in taxpayer money have received 51 percent more in campaign contributions from the finance, insurance and real estate sector in their congressional careers than those who opposed the emergency legislation, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics calculated following the 228-205 vote on Monday that defeated the House bill.
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.
Races to Watch
September 24, 2008 | It's the presidential eclipse: Every four years, media coverage about all angles of the race for the White House (significant or not) overshadows all but a handful of too-close-to-call congressional races. Yet, in the midst of an economic meltdown, record gas prices and a five-year war, there's no question that citizens care about who represents them in Congress, not just who moves into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. While other political analysts focus on the most competitive congressional races, Capital Eye will spend the next week profiling contests with an interesting fundraising angle--even those where the winner is pretty easy to predict.
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.
Bundlers for McCain, Obama Are Among Wall Street's Tumblers
September 18, 2008 | How did Wall Street's largest firms also become some of the largest donors to John McCain and Barack Obama's presidential campaigns? Take a look at the candidates' rosters of bundlers on OpenSecrets.org, and it becomes clear.
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.
Like a Good Neighbor
September 2, 2008 | Whether it's political posturing or out of the goodness of their hearts, both presidential candidates are responding to Hurricane Gustav's havoc along the Gulf Coast--John McCain by curtailing the opening of this week's Republican National Convention and Barack Obama by asking supporters to donate money to the Red Cross. In the wake of such natural disasters, insurance companies, too, play politics, and this election cycle is no exception, with both presidential candidates collecting money from the industry.
Financial Industry Lobbyists Keep Bankers' Hours
August 26, 2008 | For every star-studded concert and poker tournament when the sun goes down over the Rockies, there are dozens of mundane corporate events during the day that resemble what goes on in Washington nearly every other day of the year. Such was the scene Tuesday at a daytime event sponsored by the Financial Services Roundtable, an influential alliance of the nation's biggest banks, insurers, mortgage lenders, investment advisors, credit card companies.
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.
You Have So Many Open Secrets!
August 7, 2008 | The recently redesigned OpenSecrets.org reached a milestone this week: 1,000 people have signed up for personalized MyOpenSecrets profiles, which allow you to "watchdog what you want" and have the information waiting for you every time you visit the site. Here at the Center for Responsive Politics we're delighted that so many people are taking advantage of this new feature we launched in May.
Rangel's Fundraising for Nonprofit Center Gets Him in an Ethics Tangle
July 21, 2008 | Having served 38 years in the House, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) has accomplished quite a bit. This election cycle is no exception, receiving more money than any other member of Congress from seven different industries. Lately, however, Rangel's methods of raising money have been questioned.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Invest in Democrats
July 16, 2008 | The federal government recently announced that it will come to the rescue of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, two embattled mortgage buyers that for years have pursued a lobbying strategy to get lawmakers on their side. Both companies have poured money into lobbying and campaign contributions to federal candidates, parties and committees as a general tactic, but they've also directed those contributions strategically.
NYT Columnist: Obama's Donors Mirror Democrats'
July 1, 2008 | It appears that being the candidate of change doesn't necessarily mean appealing to a new set of donors. New York Times columnist David Brooks used extensive data from the Center for Responsive Politics today to argue that Barack Obama's fundraising base looks a whole lot like those of Democrats past and present.
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.
Corporate Sponsors Get the Party Started
May 15, 2008 | Sometimes all it takes to be the coolest kid on the block is throwing the best party--at least that's what the more than 50 corporations that signed up to underwrite the biggest Democratic bash of the year are banking on.
First Batch of '08 Lobbying Data Is In
May 12, 2008 | Special interests are already on course to spend more money on lobbying this year than they did in 2007, which was itself a record-breaking year.
Housing Law in Hands of Senator with Strong Interest in Real Estate
May 12, 2008 | Republican John McCain isn't the only federal lawmaker making headlines today for his role in some questionable real estate deals. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., shares that distinction. Shelby's strong ties to the real estate industry formed during his career as a successful title insurance executive, landlord and real estate developer.
Another Record Year for Lobbying
April 10, 2008 | Corporations, industries, labor unions, governments and other interests spent a record $2.79 billion in 2007 to lobby for favorable policies in Washington, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics has calculated.
Candidates Spend on Keystone State
April 3, 2008 | With Pennsylvania's primary on April 22, all eyes are now on the state, where money predicts that BOTH Democratic candidates have a strong chance to win.
Indicted Congressman Has Relied on Real Estate, Insurance Industries
February 28, 2008 | Republican Rep. Rick Renzi (Ariz.) said this week that he won't step down from Congress after a federal grand jury indicted him on 35 charges of corruption, including embezzlement, money laundering and extortion. Renzi has been under investigation since 2006 over allegations that he promoted a land swap in his home state that benefited himself and a business partner.
Stimulus Package Leaves Some Interests Behind
February 14, 2008 | President Bush signed the $168 billion Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 this week, disappointing some industries and interests that had vied for measures that would benefit them.
Health Industries Back Clinton
February 5, 2008 | One of the major topics of the presidential debates has been health care and the candidates' proposals for fixing what most agree is a broken system. While Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have similar policy proposals in other areas, health care is one of the few places they diverge.
Seeking Stimulation
January 31, 2008 | Industries are sending in lobbyists with their wish lists as Congress and the president debate a package to revive the ailing economy.
2008 Legislative Preview
January 24, 2008 | A floundering economy, global warming and No Child Left Behind are likely to be among the issues the president addresses, and Congress takes up, this year.
January 17, 2008 | Hearing the presidential candidates debate who is more beholden to certain industries, you'd think they'd been researching their opponents' fundraising on OpenSecrets.org. There, you too can learn which candidate has the most financial backing from insurance companies, lobbyists, drugmakers and many other industries whose influence the candidates have been debating. If you're voting in a…
Before Votes in Iowa and New Hampshire, Count Candidates' Campaign Cash
January 3, 2008 | Before voters in Iowa and New Hampshire select their favorite presidential candidates, the Center for Responsive Politics urges them to use OpenSecrets.org to "follow the money" financing the campaigns.
Q & A: What We Can Learn from Canada
December 13, 2007 | Independent candidate Jim Hurysz answers Capital Eye's questions about what he hopes to learn from Canada as he campaigns for U.S. Congress.
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.
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.
Big Box Bucks
July 18, 2007 | Hillary Clinton's six-year tenure as director of Wal-Mart sometimes comes back to haunt her, most recently in the form of campaign contributions from store employees. Clinton has kept largely quiet about her association with the Arkansas corporation in the late '80s, especially under Democratic accusations that the retailer offers unaffordable health insurance and mistreats its…
Spreading the Wealth
May 3, 2007 | With their checkbooks, some campaign donors are voting for more than one presidential candidate.
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…
Inside Voices Grew Louder in '06
March 29, 2007 | Most of the biggest spenders on lobbying increased their advocacy last year, while growth by the typical interest was flat. By Lindsay Renick Mayer March 29, 2007 | Critics may have dismissed the 109th Congress as "do-little," but groups spending the most to lobby members of that Congress were seemingly doing a lot in 2006.…
Despite a Flat Year for Lobbying, Business Booster's Advocacy Soared in 2006
March 15, 2007 | U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent 83% more on lobbying in 2006, but overall growth was less than 2 percent. Drug and biotech again topped all industries. ____________________ WASHINGTON – Washington's influence industry managed to build its lobbying business in 2006, according to an analysis of year-end disclosures by the Center for Responsive Politics, but growth…
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.
FEC Upholds Blackout on Issue Ads
August 29, 2006 | Commission rejects proposal that would allow unions, corporations and other advocacy groups to use unlimited, undisclosed funds for pre-election ads that name candidates. By Lindsay Renick Mayer August 29, 2006 | The Federal Election Commission rejected today a proposal that would have allowed labor unions, corporations and advocacy groups to broadcast ads close to an…
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