Sunlight Foundation Reporting Group

GOP dominates list of top House fundraisers in 2013

On the heels of the most expensive campaign in the nation's history, members of the House and the candidates who want to replace them are already raking in cash for the 2014 mid-terms. In the first three months of 2013, they collected a total of $68 million, records just submitted to the Federal Election Commission show.

Looking back at mega donor Bob Perry's political giving

Tax preparers lobby heavily against simple filing

As Americans struggle through complex rules and messy paperwork to meet today's deadline for filing their income taxes, it might be somewhat comforting to know that making the whole arduous process simpler and more transparent has long been a goal of President Barack Obama as well as prominent Republicans in Congress, and that it's being discussed again this year.

The list: who gave to Obama's new political non-profit

(Updated: 6:44 p.m. ET)

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

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.

Gun legislation in states forecasts close fight in Congress

Obama phones go by another name in Congress

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

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.

Obama taps Romney donors for labor board

Whether it's a sign of post-partisanship or sheer exasperation is hard to say, but two of the three nominees that President Barack Obama today tapped for seats on the National Labor Relations Board donated to the Republican who wanted to take his place.

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

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.

Super PACs next for Sanford and Colbert Busch?

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.

Start your engines: GOP makes first 2014 ad buys against Democratic House members

As NRA pushes Congress, states consider bills to put guns in schools

Even as the National Rifle Association (NRA) announced a new push today to put armed guards in schools across the country, state lawmakers across the country are considering similar proposals. So far, legislation related to guns on school grounds has come up in at least three dozen states. The vast majority of these bills would make it easier for school personnel, guards, and volunteers to carry guns on campus, while a handful would toughen laws prohibiting firearms at schools.

Baseball's (political) heavy hitters

While MLB players will be taking the field for Sunday's and Monday's opening day games in hopes of winning a World Series title in October, team owners may have their sights set on winning a different sort of Fall Classic. According to data from Sunlight's Influence Explorer, MLB organizations pumped in over $24 million to politicians, PACs and independent expenditure groups throughout the 2012 election cycle. No wonder presidents like to toss out the season's first pitch; you can see President Barack Obama at right, practicing for a 2010 appearance on the mound.