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April 2nd, 2020

This week in money-in-politics

Democratic ‘dark money’ groups and super PACs target Trump with multi-million dollar coronavirus ad campaign

Fueled by “dark money,” cash-flush liberal groups with ties to the Democratic Party are mobilizing to unleash millions of dollars worth of ads attacking President Donald Trump’s response to coronavirus ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

Many political groups avoided attacking Trump as the coronavirus outbreak first began to spread throughout the U.S. But as social distancing and quarantines become the new normal, a number of multi-million dollar ad buys from Democratic groups mark a departure from that strategy.

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Anti-Sanders super PAC is backing moderate Democrats for House races

A hybrid PAC that opposed Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) presidential bid is switching its focus to congressional races and recently announced it will endorse four moderate Democrats facing progressive primary challengers. Established last year, the Democratic Majority for Israel says its mission is to “defend Israel’s legitimacy” and was formed to mobilize leaders in the Democratic party to support Israel.
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Trump admin deems gun dealers and shooting ranges essential after lobbying push

The Trump administration designated the firearms industry as essential “critical infrastructure” over the weekend following lobbying and digital ad campaigns by gun rights groups. The guidance lists “workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges” as essential. The Department of Homeland Security added the firearms industry to the list of “essential” sectors on Saturday.
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Watchdog calls for investigation into Mississippi congressman’s campaign spending

The Campaign Legal Center is asking ethics officials to investigate campaign spending by Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) after the watchdog group found that he channeled six figures of donors’ money to family-owned businesses. Palazzo used campaign funds to pay over $60,000 in rent to his own farm between 2018 and 2019, according to Federal Election Commission filings. His campaign also spent nearly $128,000 with his now ex-wife’s accounting firm since 2011.
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Free online classes on money in politics throughout coronavirus crisis

To assist faculty who will be teaching students online for the foreseeable future, the Center for Responsive Politics will offer FREE 30-60 minute online demonstrations of OpenSecrets.org with a special emphasis on connecting money in politics data to issues related to campaign finance, lobbying, or political influence. We can customize these presentations to focus on a specific topic and can include time for questions from students if requested.

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Newspaper publishers lobby for government aid amid ‘existential crisis’

Newspapers are asking for government assistance as the ailing industry struggles to overcome plummeting advertising revenue amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter to congressional leaders and President Donald Trump Monday, two major organizations representing newspaper publishers said the beleaguered industry is facing an “existential crisis” at a time when Americans are in dire need of access to local news.

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OpenSecrets in the News

See where we've been cited by media outlets around the nation this week:

FBI reaches out to Sen. Burr over stock sales tied to virus (The Associated Press)
Following OpenSecrets' original reporting, the FBI has reached out to Sen. Richard Burr about his sale of stocks before the coronavirus caused markets to plummet.

Utah’s GOP members of Congress want to give oil, gas and mining companies a break (The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah’s Republican members of Congress are asking the Interior Department to waive or reduce federal royalty payments on oil, gas and coal production on federal lands because they argue the coronavirus outbreak is hurting the industry.

Coronavirus stimulus deal includes rewards for special interests groups, lawmakers' home states (Fox Business)
The recently-passed coronavirus relief package includes a grab bag of home-state favors and rewards for special interest groups following a slew of lobbying.

The Wall Street Journal
The New York Times
The Hill
The Miami Herald
The Daily Hampshire Gazette
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Anti-Sanders super PAC is backing moderate Democrats for House races

Trump admin deems gun dealers and shooting ranges essential after lobbying push

Watchdog calls for investigation into Mississippi congressman’s campaign spending

Free online classes on money in politics throughout coronavirus crisis

OpenSecrets in the News

See where we've been cited by media outlets around the nation this week:

FBI reaches out to Sen. Burr over stock sales tied to virus (The Associated Press) Following OpenSecrets' original reporting, the FBI has reached out to Sen. Richard Burr about his sale of stocks before the coronavirus caused markets to plummet.

Coronavirus stimulus deal includes rewards for special interests groups, lawmakers' home states (Fox Business) The recently-passed coronavirus relief package includes a grab bag of home-state favors and rewards for special interest groups following a slew of lobbying.

See more here

FBI reaches out to Sen. Burr over stock sales tied to virus (The Associated Press)
Following OpenSecrets' original reporting, the FBI has reached out to Sen. Richard Burr about his sale of stocks before the coronavirus caused markets to plummet.

Coronavirus stimulus deal includes rewards for special interests groups, lawmakers' home states (Fox Business)
The recently-passed coronavirus relief package includes a grab bag of home-state favors and rewards for special interest groups following a slew of lobbying.