Sunlight Foundation Reporting Group

1. Surge of immigration lobbyists fueled by push for high-skilled foreign workers

   By Keenan Steiner May 22, 2013 11:59 a.m.

   As the immigration reform bill has been negotiated in the Senate, the number of new lobbying registrations filed this year disclosing an interest in the issue has surpassed the number from all of 2012. Some organizations are hiring lobbyists for the first time while others have bolstered their Washington presence to influence the bill.

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2. 2016 preview? Three videos by GOP groups all target Hillary Clinton

   By Keenan Steiner May 16, 2013 3:50 p.m.

   As the White House released long-sought documents on the Benghazi affair and Republican lawmakers have renewed their criticism of the Obama administration's handling of it, three big Republican groups have all produced videos on the episode that led to the death of an American ambassador. All strike a similar tone and focus on the same target: Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state whose strong polling numbers make her an early favorite in the 2016 presidential election.  

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3. How ex-Det. Guy Bowers became the biggest campaign donor of all

   By Keenan Steiner May 16, 2013 10 a.m.

   One of the most prolific donors to political candidates running for federal office has no idea that’s his status.

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4. Mel Watt's ties to the banking industry

   By Keenan Steiner May 2, 2013 11:25 a.m.

   (CORRECTION: This post has been updated to eliminate the name of the American Bankers' Association's Michael Hunter, incorrectly identified in earlier versions as an alumnus of Watt's office. Hunter worked for former Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Okla.) 

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5. There he goes again: Larry Flynt backs Mark Sanford

   By Keenan Steiner Apr 30, 2013 6:56 p.m.

   If Mark Sanford accepts the endorsement of Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and the $2,600 that goes along with it, the South Carolina Republican congressional hopeful will be joining a list of well-known Democrats and breaking a long streak for the pornographer-turned-political activist.

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6. New appointees are long overdue but is the FEC broken?

   By Keenan Steiner Apr 30, 2013 6:25 p.m.

   Is the Federal Election Commission broken? That's the question a watchdog group asked a panel of experts on the day that the last of the current commissioners' terms expired, leaving the agency that oversees campaign finance law with one vacancy and five holdovers. Campaign finance reformers used the occasion to call on President Barack Obama to appoint new commissioners, something the president hasn't bothered to do since the Senate refused to act on his last nominee.

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7. FEC denies same-sex appeal

   By Keenan Steiner Apr 25, 2013 4:22 p.m.

   The question of marriage equality for same-sex couples became a campaign finance issue on Thursday, as Federal Election Commission members addressed the application of a little-known rule that allows someone to contribute to a federal campaign from the checking account of his or her spouse.

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8. Obama dedicates Bush library; will he disclose donors to his own?

   By Keenan Steiner Apr 25, 2013 8:25 a.m.

   As President Barack Obama attends today's dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, he's mum about fundraising for his own post-presidential library -- and whether he'll disclose names of donors.

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9. Billionaire green dumps at least $750,000 into Bay State special election

   By Keenan Steiner Apr 19, 2013 4:25 p.m.

   The super PAC funded by a former hedge fund manager turned environmental activist has made its latest move in the Massachusetts special Senate election, donating $250,000 to another super PAC run by the League of Conservation Voters, which supports the primary campaign of Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., according to Federal Election Commission reports.

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10. Pro-CISPA forces spend 140 times more lobbying than opponents

    By Keenan Steiner and Bob Lannon Apr 18, 2013 8:54 a.m.

    Interests backing a controversial cyber security bill up for a vote in the House today have a big edge in campaign donations and lobbying reserves. But opponents have President Barack Obama's veto pen.

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11. FEC deadlocks on whether fundraising firm gave improper benefit to California GOP

    By Keenan Steiner Apr 12, 2013 9:11 a.m.

    Members of the Federal Election Commission deadlocked Thursday on whether a fundraising firm's decision to forgive an estimated $138,000 in interest owed by the California Republican Party constituted an improper political contribution.

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12. Progressives campaign online, on paper and on the Hill against chained CPI

    By Keenan Steiner Apr 9, 2013 6:47 p.m.

    Liberal groups have launched a multifaceted campaign to oppose a Social Security cut expected to be included in the president's budget Wednesday, coordinating online activism, old-fashioned petition signing and traditional lobbying. It's an all-hands-on-deck approach in an attempt to send a loud message to the administration, and to congressional Democrats.

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13. People's splurge: Outside spending in Bay State Senate race tops $1 million

    By Keenan Steiner Apr 5, 2013 10:56 a.m.

    Despite candidates' signatures on the so-called "People's Pledge" to keep outside big money groups out of a special Massachusetts Senate election, the Democratic primary has attracted nearly $1.3 million in outside spending so far.

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14. Super PACs next for Sanford and Colbert Busch?

    By Keenan Steiner Apr 3, 2013 4:49 p.m.

    With the race for a special House election in South Carolina now set, and polls showing it could be close, the outcome may partly hinge on who has the most money.

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Investigations by Sunlight Foundation reporter Keenan Steiner