The Center for Public Integrity

Who Bankrolls Congress?

The Big Money Behind Top Lawmakers
By Josh Israel and Aaron Mehta | June 07, 2010, 6:00 am
California Assembly Speaker Jesse M. Unruh once famously said of moneyed political interests: “If you can't take their money, drink their booze, eat their food, screw their women, and vote against them, you don't belong here.” In other words, giving cash to politicians is no guarantee they’ll carry your water. But campaign contributions to elected officials don’t hurt either. The links between money and votes is an endlessly debated subject in official Washington. Cynics say campaign cash often buys support. Others claim that examining who opened their wallets most for a politician is simply an indication of who those backers think best advocates their agenda. Either way, though, following the money is often illuminating. Read More

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California)

Backing Pelosi: A Labor of Love

By Josh Israel and Aaron Mehta | June 10, 2010, 6:00 am
Who has funded the ascent of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi? A prominent trial lawyer, his graphic-designer wife, a healing-touch practitioner whose grandfather founded IBM, a land developer, and a savings and loan magnate comprise the top five individual donors throughout Pelosi’s career, while eight labor unions, the National Association of Realtors, and JPMorgan Chase lead all political action committee contributors to the California Democrat. Read More
Jump to a donor: PACs: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, AFSCME, National Association of Realtors, National Education Association, UAW, Laborers' International, Sheet Metal Workers' International Association, JPMorgan Chase, International Association of Machinists, Air Line Pilots Association Individuals: John W. Keker, Christina Day Keker, Bernard A. Osher , Lucinda B. Watson, Alexander R. Mehran

Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio)

John Boehner: A Pro-Business Agenda

By Josh Israel and Aaron Mehta and Caitlin Ginley | June 09, 2010, 6:00 am
Long before Congressman John Boehner of Ohio rose to his current position as House Republican Leader, he created the “Thursday Group” — a weekly discussion around a U.S. Capitol conference room table with conservative and business lobbyists, including representatives of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other influential trade associations. In Washington, those sorts of relationships often pay dividends. So perhaps it’s no surprise that Boehner’s top career donors include a lobbyist-turned-tobacco executive, two former CEOs of an insurance company, the head of a coal company, and a former telecommunications lobbyist, as well as corporate political action committees for two tobacco behemoths, two shipping companies, and four financial services firms and associations. Read More
Jump to a donor: PACs: AT&T Inc., CME Group, Bank of America Corp. , Altria Group Inc., United Parcel Service Inc., Reynolds American Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., American Maritime Officers, FedEx Corp., Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Individuals: Bruce A. Gates, John J. Schiff Jr., Wayne M. Boich, Michael Boland, Robert B. Morgan

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky)

Mitch McConnell: Fueled by Tobacco and Whiskey

By Josh Israel and Aaron Mehta and Caitlin Ginley | June 08, 2010, 6:00 am
Tobacco and whiskey have helped build Mitch McConnell’s political career. Tobacco giants Altria Group Inc. and Reynolds American Inc. are two of Mitch McConnell’s top five career campaign PAC contributors. And three of the Senate Republican leader’s top five individual donors have ties to the Kentucky-based maker of Jack Daniel’s whiskey. Read More
Jump to a donor: PACs: American Bankers Association, Bank of America, United Parcel Service Inc., Union Pacific Corp., Ashland Inc., National Association of Realtors, AT&T Inc., Altria Group, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Reynolds American Inc. Individuals: William M. Street, J.D. Nichols, James A. Patterson, Jean Frazier, Owsley Brown Frazier

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada)

Harry Reid: In the Clearing Stands A Boxer

By Josh Israel and Aaron Mehta and Caitlin Ginley and Claritza Jiménez | June 07, 2010, 6:00 am
A former professional gambler, a taxi company magnate, a telecommunications lobbyist, and a giant tobacco company are among the top lifetime givers to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, 70, of Nevada, who faces the toughest re-election race of his political career. Read More
Jump to a donor: PACs: MGM Mirage, Altria Group Inc., Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., International Association of Machinists, American Association for Justice, AT&T Inc., Laborers’ International, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, American Bankers Association Individuals: David B. Krone, Rita M. Lewis, Phyllis Frias, William T. Walters, Fatih Ozmen

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