Following the money in the Wall Street shakeout? Start here.
OpenSecrets.org has many, many resources for anyone interested in following the money as Washington policymakers continue to craft and implement their solutions to the floundering economy. Here’s a guide to what we at the Center for Responsive Politics have for you online:
Overviews of federal campaign contributions and lobbying by the finance, insurance and real estate [...]
Power Players: Embattled Congressman Leads Ways and Means with Finance Money Behind Him
Name: Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.)Position: 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 Rangel has chaired since 2007. Ways and Means is the primary tax-writing committee for the House, with [...]
Washington Lobbying Grew to $3.2 Billion Last Year, Despite Economy
Interest groups spent $17.4 million for every day Congress was in session. Lobbying growth for finance sector and auto industry is smaller in tough times.
WASHINGTON–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 [...]