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Backed by Hatch, Klobuchar, medical device makers score victory
By Keenan Steiner Mar 22, 2013 5:02 p.m.In the two weeks before the Senate passed a resolution to repeal a tax on medical devices that was part of President Obama's health care overhaul, medical device interests threw a pair of fundraisers benefiting the leadership PAC of Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a longtime friend of the industry.
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Tight rules preclude reporting charitable donations to Speaker's pet charity
By Keenan Steiner Aug 9, 2012 4:08 p.m.With Americans saying that reducing federal corruption is now their second most important campaign issue, it's worth looking at how well a 2007 law designed to curb corruption is holding up.
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Special interests honor Congress, executive branch with nearly $19 million in 2011
By Keenan Steiner Aug 2, 2012 12:31 p.m.Spurred by reports that Smartphone software made by Google and Apple could violate users' privacy, a Senate Judiciary subcommittee called executives from the companies to testify in May 2011. For the most part, the senators were uncharacteristically deferential to the hi-tech titans appearing before their panel. In his brief opening statement, ranking member Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said, “We need a whole lot more information and knowledge in terms of those of us on the legislative side before we come to conclusions about what needs to be done.”
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Graphic: Which officials were honored the most in 2011?
By Keenan Steiner and Jacob Fenton Aug 2, 2012 12:31 p.m.Companies, associations and the lobbyists employed by them contributed almost $19 million to charities in honor of federal officials last year, the vast majority of it for members of Congress. You can read the full report on 2011's honorary giving here.
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Lobbyists golfing with Clyburn have friend on Super Committee
By Keenan Steiner Sep 8, 2011 2:10 p.m.In early August, Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., a member of the newly created congressional super committee, held his annual charity golf tournament, welcoming nearly 600 golfers to spend the weekend in Santee, South Carolina.
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Lobbyists pay millions to honor Congress, executive branch
By Keenan Steiner Jul 12, 2011 8:28 a.m.Last year, four of the country’s biggest military contractors paid $100,000 or more to become top sponsors of a black tie charity gala that honored the influential former chair of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo.
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Some lobbyists’ gifts to lawmakers' pet causes remain in the dark
By Keenan Steiner Jul 12, 2011 8:27 a.m.In the past two years, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America have donated tens of thousands of dollars to a Florida nonprofit where congresswoman Corrine Brown, D-Fla., serves on the board of directors. Yet JPMorgan disclosed this contribution in a lobbying report while Bank of America did not.
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Graphic: Lobbyists' Honorary Gifts to Federal Officials
By Keenan Steiner Jul 12, 2011 3:14 a.m.Companies and organizations can donate an unlimited amount of money to honor officials, sponsor their conferences, and donate to their pet charities, so long as these donations are reported to the Senate. The Sunlight Foundation analyzed these filings from 2009 and 2010 and found about $50 million in honorary gifts and meeting costs. These donations can all be viewed in the interactive display below by company making the donation or by official being honored.
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