This week, world events felt like something out of a movie. The U.S. bombed Iran, oil prices surged, and tensions rose across the Middle East. But behind these headlines is something OpenSecrets tracks every day: how big money influences political decisions.
Here's what happened and how money played a role:
1. U.S. Bombs Iran’s Nuclear Sites – What’s Driving Foreign Policy?
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The recent airstrikes on Iran reignited questions about who shapes U.S. foreign policy.
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OpenSecrets’ data shows defense contractors like Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have spent over $138 million on lobbying in the last 5 years.
- Many lawmakers who endorsed the strikes also receive major contributions from defense PACs and military-industrial donors.
- The revolving door between Congress, the Pentagon, and defense lobbyists continues to spin.
2. Oil Prices Surge – Energy Influence in Congress
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Following the strikes, crude oil jumped above $78/barrel with analysts suggesting futures could surge to more than $100/barrel, although prices dropped Monday and Tuesday.
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In 2024 alone, oil & gas lobbying reached $153 million.
- OpenSecrets data shows
ExxonMobil and Chevron are among the top 20 corporate political donors in the energy space.
3. Israel-Iran Escalation – Foreign Lobbying in U.S. Politics
- Israel’s parallel attacks on Iran raise long-standing questions about the influence of foreign lobbying.
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More than $5.7 billion has been spent by foreign countries and companies on lobbying since 2016, heavily influencing key congressional races.
- OpenSecrets has long documented the role of foreign policy PACs in shaping U.S. Middle East policy and beyond.
This week underscores why transparency in money and influence is not just a domestic concern but a geopolitical imperative. Decisions of war and peace, energy and inflation, diplomacy and democracy are shaped by money. OpenSecrets exists to uncover those links, so citizens and journalists aren’t left in the dark.
Donate today and help OpenSecrets continue to bring these influences to light.
