Tax Prep Industry Hires More Lobbyists as IRS Announces Free E-File Pilot
The lucrative tax prep industry has pursued a decades-long lobbying campaign to block the IRS from developing a free online tax filing service.
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Oakland Community Groups Call to Fund ‘Democracy Dollars’ Program
As budget cuts jeopardize the launch of a public campaign financing program approved by Oakland voters, community groups are mobilizing at town halls with a plan to keep the program on schedule this year.
Minnesota Lawmakers Pass Sweeping Bill to Increase Voting Access
The Democracy for the People Act also makes Minnesota the first state to ban election spending by foreign-influenced corporations.
General Atomics-Funded Lawmakers Call on Pentagon to Give Ukraine Reaper Drones
The MQ-9 Reaper could help Ukraine launch attacks deep into Russian territory.
Private Equity Giants Back Sinema in Q1
KKR, Blackstone, and The Carlyle Group employees made up nearly half of the senator's joint fundraising committee haul in the first three months of the year.
Here Are the Wealthy Executives Funding McCarthy’s ‘Protect the House’ Effort
Energy, real estate, and private equity executives are opening up their wallets to help keep the House in Republican hands.
New York Groups Call on Lawmakers to Fully Fund Small-Donor Matching Program
Advocates for a groundbreaking New York public campaign financing program await word of its funding level in the "Big Ugly" budget bill.
With Chicago’s Mayoral Race Awash in Big Money, Reformers Aim to Amplify Small Donors
Barely one percent of funding in the mayoral race has come from small donors, according to the nonpartisan group Reform for Illinois, but reform proposals have the support of both candidates.
Republican Energy Bill Follows Massive Increase in Fossil Fuel Donations
Fossil fuel industry donors like Chevron poured $27 million into the super PAC that helped Republicans take control of the House in the midterms.
TikTok Hires Former Biden Staffer as it Fights U.S. Ban
The company is facing pressure from U.S. lawmakers over its data practices and its ownership by a Chinese company.
Wisconsin Groups Keep It Local Amid Record Ad Blitz in Supreme Court Race
While community groups work to mobilize voters, a deluge of TV ads is set to make Wisconsin's the most expensive state supreme court race ever.
Pfizer Spends Big on IP Lobbying With Billions on the Line
The pharmaceutical giant spent big bucks amid key international negotiations last year to protect record earnings.
Intuit’s Top Lobbying Firms Are Also Major DSCC Bundlers
Congress is set to receive a report on how the IRS can streamline the tax filing process after lobbyists for Intuit bundled millions for the Senate Democrats' campaign arm.
Congressional Leaders Are Embracing Dark Money Like Never Before
Three of the four super PACs aligned with House and Senate leaders brought in record high amounts from their "dark money" affiliates in the midterms.
Biden Decision in Apple Watch Patent Dispute Could Benefit His Megadonor
Joe Kiani, CEO of medical tech company Masimo, hosted a California fundraiser for Biden when the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination contest was still a crowded field.
TikTok Owner Uses Back Door to Donate in Honor of Members of Congress
Chinese company ByteDance does not have a PAC, but it still found a way to make donations honoring hundreds of members of Congress.
Minnesota Democrats Pass Voting Rights Bill in Committee
The Democracy for the People Act, backed by a coalition of Minnesota groups, would also increase disclosure of political spending in state races.
STOCK TICKER: Blumenthal’s Wife Invests in Biotech Hedge Fund as He Chairs Panel Overseeing Drug Prices
As a consumer protection subcommittee chairman, Blumenthal has focused on the role pharmaceutical benefit managers play in driving up the cost of drugs.
Natural Resources Chairman Hires Oil Lobbyist as Chief of Staff
Westerman's new chief of staff formerly lobbied for oil and gas companies including Chevron and Taylor Energy.
