[link removed] [[link removed]] JUNE 26, 2025
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Agribusiness and hospitality sectors, threatened by deportations, poured millions into Republican victories
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President Donald Trump’s messaging about deporting undocumented farm, food and hospitality workers has shifted multiple times in recent days, with his latest comments indicating he may be open to a middle-ground solution.
Despite appeals from affected industries and Trump’s comments in support of leniency in such sectors, ICE agents resumed deportation-related work last week [[link removed]] , edging the Trump administration nearer to its goal of 3,000 arrests every day. This reversal comes as congressional Republicans continue their work on the “Big Beautiful Bill,” Trump’s wide-ranging policy initiative that would add $75 billion to the ICE budget over the next five.
The short pause on deportations in two industries that collectively employ more than 1.2 million undocumented workers [[link removed]] was an attempt to partially address fears that the national food supply chain and the leisure industry would be upended by the raids [[link removed]] .
Trump even issued a rare concession on social media on June 12: “Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace.”
Just days later, Trump rescinded that stay – but later told reporters there might be another way to help “reputable” farmers who take responsibility [[link removed]] for undocumented workers. The industry, which depends heavily on an undocumented workforce, has long been a reliable supporter of Republican politics.
As Natalie Jonas reports, The agribusiness sector funneled hundreds of millions to Republicans and conservative groups in 2024. Individuals and political action committees affiliated with the sector donated $107 million to candidates and political parties [[link removed]] during the most recent election cycle, with 66 percent going to Republicans. That continues a decades-long trend of primarily supporting GOP candidates.
The sector spent $50.9 million on lobbying [[link removed]] in the first quarter of 2025, a little ahead of the 2024 pace ( $179.8 million total [[link removed]] ). Some of the top spenders include Archer Daniels Midland, which funneled $2 million [[link removed]] into lobbying in Q1 of 2025 (compared to $870,000 [[link removed]] in Q1 the year prior), as well as PepsiCo Inc, which spent $1.6 million [[link removed]] on lobbying since the start of the year.
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FEC cancels third consecutive meeting
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The Federal Election Commission was to meet today for its regularly scheduled public meeting to discuss "new regulations, advisory opinions and other public matters." This is the third consecutive public meeting of the commissioners that was canceled, an expected move because the FEC lacks enough commissioners to conduct anything more than routine business.
The State of the FEC [[link removed]]
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What else we're reading
Members of Congress Bought Defense Stocks, Then Watched Them Rise as the Bombs Dropped [[link removed]] (Sludge)
Gun rights, anti-abortion groups challenge Minnesota lobbying disclosure rules [[link removed]] (Minnesota Star Tribune)
With $25 Million, Pro-Cuomo Super PAC Shatters Outside Spending Records [[link removed]] (Sludge)
Benson defends new campaign finance system before GOP-led Michigan House Oversight Committee [[link removed]] (Michigan Advance)
OpenSecrets in the News
See our media citations from outlets around the nation this week:
Inside Nippon Steel’s bruising efforts that paved the way to buying U.S. Steel [[link removed]] (The Washington Post)
Nippon Steel quickly switched to an all-hands-on-deck offensive strategy, hiring Washington powerhouse lobbying firm Akin Gump — which it has paid more than $5 million since 2024, disclosures compiled by OpenSecrets show — to convince decision-makers on Capitol Hill, in the White House and on the National Security Council.
After Trump’s Election, a Troubled Meatpacker Makes a Stunning Comeback [[link removed]] (The New York Times)
In the first three months of 2025, JBS spent twice as much on lobbying, both in-house and through proxy firms, as it did in the same time period in 2024, according to a Times analysis of expenditure data compiled by OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan watchdog group.
TikTok gets more time [[link removed]] (Marketplace)
And so far this year? “This first quarter is $3.36 million, and so this is a sharp increase. It's the biggest Q1 spend by ByteDance,” said Hilary Braseth, executive director of OpenSecrets, which tracks money in politics and compiled the data on ByteDance’s lobbying efforts. “This is a clear effort to try to engage officials at many levels of government, to try to maintain the position they have, which is to be able to remain owned by the same owners and also able to operate in the way that they've been operating.”
Is that brand’s mission for real? Here’s how to spot BS [[link removed]] (Fast Company)
Some brands say one thing in public and back different things behind closed doors. If you care, tools like OpenSecrets.org let you see whether a company’s donations and lobbying match their stated values.
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The OpenSecrets merch store is here!
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We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the OpenSecrets Merch Store [[link removed]] ! Now, you can support our mission while looking good doing it. Every purchase helps us provide comprehensive and reliable data, analysis and tools for policymakers, storytellers and citizens.
Our collection — initially featuring a hoodie, crewneck, t-shirt and hat — is designed to spread awareness and make a difference. Whether you're treating yourself or finding the perfect gift, every item you buy helps fuel our cause. And every item in our store was manufactured by a certified ethical and “sweat-free” company.
Join us in wearing your support — transparency has never been more comfortable!
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