Lynch’s wife tied to agencies he won grants for Nov 10, 2009
Eleven of the South Boston Community Health Center s 21 current officers and board members have contributed a total of $18,750 to Lynch s congressional campaigns since his election in 2001, according to federal campaign reports published by the Center for Responsive Politics, which closely monitors the nexus between contributions and federal funding. Steve Ellis, vice president of programs at Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan budget watchdog group in Washington, said any earmark directed... (Boston Globe)
Obama Signs Extended Tax Credit into Law Nov 7, 2009
So far this year, REALTORS have spent nearly $14 million lobbying Congress, according to federal campaign finance records compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. Sen. (Realtor Magazine Online)
237 millionaires in Congress... Nov 7, 2009
2 percent unemployment, the Center for Responsive Politics is out with a new report describing the wealth of members of Congress. Among the highlights: Two-hundred-and-thirty-seven members of Congress are millionaires. (The Drudge Report)
Mayor Dellums, wife owe $239K in back taxes Nov 5, 2009
That year, the firm earned $90,000 in lobbying income - $70,000 from Rolls-Royce North America and $20,000 from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation - according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research group. In 2006, the lobbying firm received $100,000 from Verizon Communications, $120,000 from the Rolls-Royce group and $20,000 from the AIDS foundation. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Miller time: NFL commish caved in to pressure to expel Limbaugh Nov 5, 2009
But, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, NFL owners and their families have given 78 percent of political donations to Republican candidates nearly $1. 5 million since Jan. 2007. (Paragould Daily Press, AR)
14 comments Nov 4, 2009
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, hedge funds and private equity firms donated $2,992,456 to the Obama campaign in the 2008 cycle. No fewer than 100 Obama bundlers are investment CEOs and brokers: Nearly two dozen work for financial giants such as Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs or Citigroup. (Human Events Online)
Farmland released from conservation program Nov 4, 2009
According to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, some drug companies are also lobbying more. Pfizer has spent $16. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Study: Lobbyists are quitting at record pace Nov 3, 2009
Over 1,400 lobbyists "deregistered" with Congress in the second quarter of 2009, according to a by the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) and OMB Watch. Typically, only a few hundred lobbyists quit each quarter. (TheHill.com)
Capuano's pitch as insider has benefit, risk Nov 3, 2009
2 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That placed him seventh in the Massachusetts delegation. (Boston Globe)
Investment flap ensnares RRA's Rothstein Nov 2, 2009
" Questions have been raised about the structured settlement business, he said. Nurik said he did not know where Rothstein was Sunday night but that he would be back in town early in the week. Any of these allegations that he has fled the country is total nonsense, he said. The story broke Sunday evening in a blog post by , a columnist for Broward Palm Beach New Times who has previously written about Rothstein. RRA partner Stuart Rosenfeldt, reached in his office by South Business Journal, said... (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
House ethics report leak prompts probe Nov 1, 2009
2 million in contributions from PMA and its clients since 1998, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. In the cases disclosed on the list - which was a tally of all pending cases as of July - the allegations had been previously reported in the news media. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Taxpayer $ for Bonuses? Oct 31, 2009
Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, said, "These banks are spending tens of thousands of dollars every day that Congress has been in session, essentially using the taxpayer bailout to turn it around and lobby taxpayers, in part to fight regulatory reform.". When asked about the banks' lobbying practices, the Treasury Department pointed to an old statement by President Obama that says big financial firms and their lobbyists, "are doing what they always do --... (ABC News -- Business)
7 Reps. on Same Panel Under Investigation Oct 31, 2009
While lawmakers received generous contributions, PMA used its growing influence with the panel over the past decade to become one of the top 10 lobby shops in Washington and took in $114 million in lobbying fees, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a watchdog group. The chairman of the House ethics committee, Rep. (CBS News -- US)
Leak lays bare US Congress ethics probes... Oct 31, 2009
Donation figures compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics show that. PMA's PAC and employees together were the single biggest source of political money to Dicks in each election cycle from 2003 through 2008 when donations are analyzed by the givers' employers. (The Drudge Report)
List disclosure raises concerns about future ethics investigations Oct 31, 2009
2 million in contributions from PMA and its clients since 1998, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. And in the last two years they inserted more than $200 million in defense earmarks to PMA s clients, according to a tally by Taxpayers for Common Sense, which tracks such items. (Boston Globe)
Root for the Home Team? MLB Commish Chooses NY Over Penn Politicians Oct 31, 2009
Since its formation in 2002, the Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office has donated more than twice as much money to federal political candidates from New York state than from , according to an analysis of campaign finance data by the Center for Responsive Politics released this week ... "Not to extend the sports metaphor too far, but like in baseball, you want to hire the best players that you possibly can in order to win as much as you can, chief example being the New York Yankees," said... (ABC News)
Obama Nomination of Donor Put on Hold Oct 30, 2009
In August, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics said that Mr. Solomont was just one of a growing number of Democratic fundraisers and political donors picked by Mr. Obama for ambassadorships, a practice that career diplomats in the State Department have long criticized. Mr. Solomont helped solicit - or "bundled" - at least $500,000 for Mr. Obama's White House run, while he and his family have given about $1. (Newsmax)
Ethics offices scrutinize 7 lawmakers' lobbyist ties Oct 30, 2009
While members received generous contributions, PMA used its growing influence with the panel over the past decade to become one of top 10 lobby firms in Washington and took in $114 million in lobbying fees, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a watchdog group. The chairwoman of the House ethics committee, Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. (AZCentral -- News)
McCain: Iraq Bombs Needn't Slow Withdrawal Oct 26, 2009
"Why do you wait until Obama is president, before you call for a "troop surge" and a new and improved strategy?Where the hell were you for the last 8 years?!?! by G-I_Jesus October 25, 2009 4:34 PM EDT Muslim Men Don't Be Knowin Of Life N' Love! * These imbeciles be destroyin' their homeland n' tis madness gunna only show that Muslims be violent 'n don't lust life. They donno understand ****-barnacles 'bout what existin' be all 'bout! They be fools that cannot spy wit' ye eye th' beatifull wowen... (CBS News)
Capuano has funds linked to lobbyist Oct 25, 2009
Among lawmakers who had received PMA-related donations, Capuano, by his amount collected, was ranked 10th earlier this year by another nonpartisan group, the Center for Responsive Politics. That ranking, however, was based on $57,000 he collected from 2001 to 2008 that was connected to the lobbying firm. (Boston Globe)
Millions spent to sway health care opinions Oct 25, 2009
"This is one of the biggest lobbying pushes that we've seen on a single issue in U.S. history," said Dave Levinthal, communications director for the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. There are more than 3,000 people registered to lobby about health care, almost six lobbyists for every member of Congress. (CNN -- Health)
INDUSTRY: Doctors, Eli Lilly lead in health lobbying Oct 22, 2009
According to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, the health sector reported spending $127 million in lobbying during the first three months of this year, more than any other area. It can take many days for all the reports to be filed. (USA Today)
Health care groups lobby at record pace Oct 22, 2009
The pace of spending means health care lobbying is likely to set records this year, said Dave Levinthal of the non-profit Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks money in politics. Last year, the industry spent more than $485 million on lobbying, according to the center's data. (USA Today)
Glenn Greenwald Oct 22, 2009
Goldman "spent more than $43 million dollars on lobbying and campaign contributions to cultivate friends and buy influence in Washington, D.C. since 1989" and their "bankers have been the country's top political campaign contributors this year." "They are almost in a class by themselves," said Sheila Krumholz, the executive director for the Center for Responsive Politics. As Michael Moore has , Goldman was the number one source of funding for the Obama 2008 presidential campaign. (Salon)
Panel ensures state oversight of big banks Oct 22, 2009
The financial industry has contributed more than $53 million this year to members of Congress and the political parties, with $6 million of that going to members of the House Financial Services Committee as of the end of July, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The Chamber of Commerce has led the attack on the consumer protection agency. (Boston Globe)
How Drug Industry Lobbyists Got Their Way on Health Care Oct 22, 2009
It's understandable the drugmakers would want a roll-call accounting of who their friends and enemies are, considering the size of the investment they are making on Capitol Hill: in the first six months of this year alone, drug and biotech companies and their trade associations spent more than $110 million that's about $609,000 a day to influence lawmakers, according to figures compiled by the nonpartisan watchdog group Center for Responsive Politics. The drug industry's legion of registered... (Time.com)
Billionaire Among 6 Nabbed in Inside Trading Case Oct 18, 2009
The Center for Responsive Politics, a watchdog group, said he has given a total of $118,000 since 2004 all but one contribution, for $5,000, to Democrats. 1. (ABC News -- Wire)
Ethics and campaign contributions Oct 17, 2009
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, contributions from the health sector to congressional campaigns have grown since 1990 from $21. 9 million to $166. (Boston Globe -- Editorial)
Visclosky, Facing PMA Probe, Pays $100,000 in Legal Fees Oct 17, 2009
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Murtha, Moran and Visclosky, also a Defense appropriator, received about $4. 8 million in campaign contributions over the past decade from PMA and its clients. (Roll Call)
Price, Gingrey receive thousands in campagin contributions from doctors and health care lobbyists Oct 17, 2009
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-profit, non-partisan government watchdog group, the health care sector -- not including insurance companies -- made nearly $29 million in campaign contributions in the first six months of this year alone ... Obama raked in nearly $20 million from health industry interests during the presidential campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics ... Among the 435 members of the U.S. House, Price is No. 6 in overall contributions from... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
U.S. Chamber feels heat from Obama, defectors Oct 16, 2009
That s true, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Since 1998, the chamber has spent $488 million on lobbying, more than twice the amount spent by the No. 2 lobbying organization, the American Medical Association. (Washington Business Journal, DC)
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Unions help, hinder Democrats Oct 16, 2009
according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. They have contributed $14. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Labor unions turn against parts of health bill Oct 15, 2009
Unions spent $75 million on contributions to federal candidates in 2008, 92% of which went to Democrats, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. "This push is really a reflection of the struggle that's going to take place in the Party in how you move forward," said , a political scientist at. (USA Today -- News)
Health Insurers Are Now Obama's Enemy Oct 15, 2009
The insurance sector and health maintenance organizations spent more than $116 million on lobbying in the first six months of this year, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics ... "The insurance sector and health maintenance organizations spent more than $116 million on lobbying in the first six months of this year, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. ------------------------------------------------------------Meanwhile,... (CBS News -- US)
Cocco: Corporate money talks, keeps public interest unserved Oct 14, 2009
Most recently, the Sunlight Foundation teamed with the Center for Responsive Politics on a groundbreaking study that shows a web of contributions from outside lobbyists (lawyers, consultants and others who do not directly work for a company or trade group) donating to the same lawmakers as their clients who have an interest in health care overhaul. The contributions by the lobbyists enhance the political power of the business organizations which already are contributing through political... (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Insurers now Obamas top foe on health bill Oct 14, 2009
The insurance sector and health-maintenance organizations spent more than $116 million on lobbying over the first six months of this year, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. "It's pretty clear now, they intend at the eleventh hour to launch a very expensive and misleading campaign against reform," Pfeiffer said. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Hard-Hit Cities, States Hire Near-Record Lobbyists Oct 9, 2009
1 million in taxpayer money this year on Washington lobbyists, the second straight recession year to top the previously unbroached $80 million barrier, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics ... "Even though the economy has been as rotten as it has, the municipal, county, state and territorial governments of the country are just about on pace to equal the lobbying expenditures that they put forth last year," said Dave Levinthal, a spokesman for the Center for Responsive... (Newsmax)
Health bill gives some groups a break Oct 7, 2009
The health care industry has spent more than $263 million to lobby Congress during the first six months of this year more than any other sector, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. "The health care lobbying interests are cutting deals ... on whatever affects their fiefdom," said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a non-partisan watchdog group. (USA Today)
Most lobbyist money going to Dems Oct 5, 2009
Bundling "is another tool of influence for lobbyists," who otherwise are limited like all contributors to donating no more than $2,400 per primary or general election to a federal candidate, said Dave Levinthal, of the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. "It's one thing to give a contribution of $4,800 for a primary and general election," he said. (USA Today -- News)
Hawaii's Sen. Inouye defends earmarks for his home state Oct 5, 2009
Earmarking is bipartisan, with tradition dictating that the majority party gets about 60 percent, according to breakdowns by the Center for Responsive Politics ... "He's at the top of the heap," said Laura Peterson of the Center for Responsive Politics ... In this year's spending bills, all but four Republicans and three Democrats in the Senate have accepted earmarks for their states, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Get Homes off Welfare Oct 2, 2009
The National Association of Realtors gave more money than any other group to candidates in the last elections ($4 million), according to the Center for Responsive Politics, and its 1. 1 million members can do a lot of lobbying. (Time.com)
Critics want sharper teeth in rules on supplements Oct 2, 2009
4 million to federal candidates, political parties and political action committees, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. About $4. (Yahoo News -- Ephedra)
Medical device makers press Senate on tax Oct 2, 2009
3 million on federal campaign contributions for the 2008 election and has spent $773,000 this year, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. About $88,000 of that money went to 10 members of the Finance Committee. (USA Today)
GU Pays D.C. Firm Over $1 Million To Lobby for Boathouse Oct 1, 2009
Georgetown has paid Carmen Group Inc., an independent consulting firm, $1,030,000 since 2005, to lobby on the universitys behalf concerning a proposal for the university to construct its own boathouse, according to the Center for Responsive Politics Web site. The university has paid the Carmen Group to lobby the National Parks Service since the beginning of 2009. (The Hoya, Washington DC)
Weber: Jones is ‘incidental’ (3) Sep 30, 2009
org, an Internet publication of the Center for Responsive Politics. Jones has served in Congress since 1994. (Washington Daily News, NC)
More Obama seemed like good idea Sep 30, 2009
The congressman pays for his golf through a political leadership fund, the Republican Majority Fund, which took in $692,618 during the 2008 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics ... But of the $112 million that leadership PACs spent during the two-year campaign cycle that led up to the 2008 elections, less than half was passed on to candidates or party committees, according to a ProPublica analysis of Federal Election Commission data compiled by the Center for... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
HOT: SMALL COMPANY BACKED BY GORE GETS $500M FED LOAN... Sep 26, 2009
2 million to political campaigns, mostly for Democrats, including President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that tracks campaign contributions. Officials at Kleiner Perkins didn't return requests for comment. (The Drudge Report)
Kirk to Take Kennedy's Seat Today as Senate Democrats Press Obama's Agenda Sep 25, 2009
Since 1989, Kirk and his wife have given $64,0755 to federal candidates and the Democratic Party, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. They gave $13,900 to Kennedys campaigns and another $6,000 to the campaigns of his son, Representative , a Rhode Island Democrat. (Bloomberg -- US)
Health plan proves hard sell to seniors Sep 24, 2009
4 million lobbying in the first half of the year ninth highest of all organizations in Washington, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The expenditures include money for 70 town hall meetings around the country, 60 others held by telephone that the group says attracted 1 million callers, and millions of mailings to its members. (MSNBC -- Politics)
High labor costs would keep jobs American Sep 21, 2009
Labor unions have been Abercrombie's biggest backers over the years, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a watchdog group. Since 1989, donations from union-affiliated political action committees to Abercrombie's congressional races include the Laborers' International Union, $101,000; the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, $90,000; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, $81,960; and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, $68,500. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Health reform's 'gang of 6' reaps political cash Sep 21, 2009
That is about 25 percent more than the average of $59,632 in such donations that the gang's other Senate colleagues raked in from lobbyists for the pharmaceutical, hospital, insurance and nursing home industries, according to the analysis, which was based on records compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit watchdog group ... "There is not a quid pro quo but there is an expectation that a contribution gives you a chance to be heard by the member," said Sheila Krumholz,... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Soda tax: It’s the real thing Sep 19, 2009
2 million mark halfway through this year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The American Beverage Association, which spent $667,590 in 2008 on lobbying, has already spent $1,340,000 through the first six months of this year and launched a $2 million ad campaign against soda taxes. (Boston Globe)
Lobbyists still run Washington Sep 18, 2009
So far this year, (or more than $1 million a day) has been shelled out just for lobbying health-related issues, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Industry players have waged war to sway public opinion, $75 million on TV ads. (Salon)
A well-oiled influence machine Sep 17, 2009
So far this year, $263 million (or more than one million dollars a day) has been shelled out just for lobbying health-related issues, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Industry players have waged war to sway public opinion, spending $75 million on television advertisements. (Asia Times Online)
Focus is on Main St. as firms fight Wall St. rules Sep 16, 2009
Big banks and securities firms have spent nearly $90 million lobbying Congress so far this year, according to public disclosures filed on Capitol Hill and compiled by the watchdog Center for Responsive Politics and that doesn't count the substantial amounts that individual corporations have shelled out. The Chamber of Commerce has spent more than $26 million so far this year lobbying on issues, including the financial overhaul. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Coakley faces tight funding window Sep 14, 2009
In an analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics of the geographic source of contributions over the past decade, 10 of the top 20 ZIP codes for Markey are in the Washington area and one is in New York City. By contrast, the top 20 ZIP codes for Lynch and the top 19 for Capuano are all in Massachusetts, mainly within their congressional districts. (Boston Globe)
Obama Speaks Out on Health Care Sep 13, 2009
" He went on to call TRICARE "world class health care," concluding on a personal note. "I am grateful to have four sons now serving in the military, and I know that their families appreciate the availability of TRICARE," he said. by Void_Master September 12, 2009 12:38 PM EDT I used to think that people such as myself should have the opportunity to opt-out of participating in a statist society. But I have come to realize that that is the wrong approach. More accurately, those who insist on... (CBS News)
House plans to admonish Rep. Wilson over outburst Sep 12, 2009
His top 20 career donors include the American Hospital Association, the Lexington Medical Center and the American Dental Association, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Wilson shouted "You lie!" after Obama said in his address to Congress that illegal immigrants would not be eligible for low-cost health care. (Albany Times Union)
Boustany Delivers With 'Common-Sense' Denunciation of Obamacare Sep 11, 2009
He also came under fire for the large amount of contributions he has received from health and insurance interests, a figure accounting for more than 20 percent of his total fundraising according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Despite the attacks, Boustany, a little-known public figure and unexpected choice for an honor usually reserved for high-profile opposition members, is unlikely to receive as much disapproval as the last person to give a Republican response to Obama. (Human Events Online)
Help figure out who has been calling on Obama Sep 11, 2009
If you need help with names of lobbyists or campaign donors to check in the White House records, here are two resources: the Federal Election Commission's , and from the Center for Responsive Politics. The backgroundThe Obama administration announced Friday that it would post visitor logs online, starting with visits after Sept. 15, 2009. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Obama's Best Speech As President Sep 11, 2009
For example I conducted some research on Joe Wilson based on data that I obtained from Center for Responsive Politics. Among the industries that contributed to Wilson's political campaigns, Health professionals took 1st place. (CBS News)
Senate considers international tourism boost Sep 10, 2009
The U.S. Travel Association has ramped up its lobbying efforts to try and generate support for the measure, spending nearly $600,000 this year double what it spent during the prior two years combined, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Freeman, of the travel association, said every developed country in the world has promotional campaigns designed to attract foreign visitors, and it was time for the U.S. to join the game. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Reid Pushes $10 U.S. Entry Tax for Foreigners Sep 9, 2009
The U.S. Travel Association has ramped up its lobbying efforts to try and generate support for the measure, spending nearly $600,000 this year double what it spent during the prior two years combined, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Geoff Freeman, a senior vice president at the U.S. Travel Association, said every developed country in the world has promotional campaigns designed to attract foreign visitors, and it was time for the U.S. to join the game. (Newsmax)
Republicans set to offer rebuttals to Obama Sep 9, 2009
They gave him $240,250 for the 2008 election and $48,300 so far for the 2010 election, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Boustany was a fitting choice for Republicans opposed to a health care overhaul, noting his votes against expanding the children s health insurance program and funding community health centers. (Boston Globe)
Our views: Lobbyist deluge Sep 6, 2009
4 million lobbying on health care during the first six months of this year, more than any other industry, according to the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics. That demonstrates the power of the insurance industry, which is using money from price-gouging premiums that you pay to hire lobbyists to derail reform so they can continue to reap huge profits. (Florida Today)
