[link removed] [[link removed]] JULY 3, 2025
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With election spending rules under review, our mission stays firm
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On Monday, the Supreme Court announced it will consider arguments to lift restrictions on how much money political parties [[link removed]] may spend in coordination with candidates for federal office, a move that could drive Democrats and Republicans to ask the public for even more campaign donations.
Current law allows federal and state party committees to spend money on elections in coordination with candidates, but there are spending limits [[link removed]] based on the type of office sought and voting-age population in the state. (In most states, coordination in House races is capped at $63,600. Senate limits range from $127,200 in low-population states like Delaware to $3,946,100 in California.)
This case, National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission [[link removed]] , seeks to lift those caps. Proponents argue the limits impinge on First Amendment rights by limiting the parties’ ability to advocate for their candidates. Those defending the law say the issue was already settled by the Supreme Court and would simply create a way for donors to direct money to candidates many times above the current individual contribution limits.
But there are questions about both arguments.
This case only concerns campaign spending — not fundraising . Unless the court expands the issues at the center of the debate, the parties would not be able to raise additional money from wealthy donors who already max out their donations to political parties’ primary accounts ( currently capped at $44,300 [[link removed]] , indexed for inflation). In other words, people who already max out their donations to the parties will not be able to give any more, beyond the modest inflation-adjusted increase.
That said, the parties will have an opportunity to raise more from donors who do not give the maximum amount — and reclaim some control over the spending. Once a donor hits the cap on contributions to a candidate, they can then give money to a party committee knowing that there are no restrictions on the party spending the money in close cooperation with a candidate, unlike donations to super PACs, which in theory are supposed to spend without coordinating with candidates’ campaigns.
At OpenSecrets, we question whether a ruling that lifts spending caps for parties would truly benefit transparency. Yes, it’s likely parties would spend more money that must be disclosed, but it remains to be seen whether and how much it might impact money funneling through super PACs, which are the main vehicle for dark money entering the system. While super PACs are supposed to remain independent and spend without coordination, the barriers around coordination have eroded in recent elections (see Campaign Legal Center’s study of this issue [[link removed]] in 2023).
Even with this ruling, super PACs will likely remain relevant, as they’ve become the established route for megadonors who want to influence elections (and for those trying to remain anonymous). Ultimately, we will need to wait and see just how much dark money comes back into the light and in all cases, any change to the campaign finance system will require vigilance in order to provide voters with the information they need to make sound decisions.
At OpenSecrets, we remain committed to doing our part in service of governmental integrity, which is to make that money transparent and to enable the public to hold politicians accountable.
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Tariff-related lobbying surged in the first quarter of 2025
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Throughout the 2024 campaign, Donald Trump touted the financial windfall to be reaped if the United States were to impose a series of revenue-raising tariffs. Since returning to office, the president has followed through on that promise — but has rescinded or reduced some tariffs and faced multiple court challenges threatening to derail his economic agenda.
As companies, investors and trading partners grapple to keep up with the constantly shifting tariff landscape [[link removed]] , one industry has seen a big boost to its bottom line: the lobbying sector, which experienced a surge in tariff-related work in the first quarter of 2025.
In the first three months of this year, lobbyists represented 215 clients [[link removed]] on tariff issues, according to lobbying disclosure reports studied by OpenSecrets. In all of 2024, lobbyists handled tariff work for just 120 clients [[link removed]] . And it’s not just the number of clients signed — lobbyists stepped up their work on those contracts, filing 1,707 reports [[link removed]] on tariff work in the first quarter of 2025. That puts them on track to surpass last year’s total of 5,679 [[link removed]] .
If they keep up that pace, they would surpass the number of reports filed in 2018 [[link removed]] and come closer to the 2019 total [[link removed]] , when Trump implemented tariffs in his first term.
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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)
Kristi Noem Secretly Took a Cut of Political Donations [[link removed]] (ProPublica)
Oregon Legislature abandons attempt to postpone campaign finance limits [[link removed]] (Oregon Capital Chronicle)
Gov. Phil Scott signs new campaign finance rules, other election changes into law [[link removed]] (VTDigger)
OpenSecrets in the News
See our media citations from outlets around the nation this week:
Not just Mamdani: Centrist Democrats can win on affordability, too [[link removed]] (The Washington Post)
Rosen raised about $50 million for her campaign, more than twice as much as Brown’s, and outside political groups favored Rosen by an edge of about $55 million to $45 million, according to OpenSecrets.
A $40 million flameout in New Jersey’s race for governor puts scrutiny on teachers union [[link removed]] (Politico)
The NJEA’s spending in the primary has even exceeded outside spending in congressional races, which are typically more expensive than state-level elections. The most spent by a single committee in independent expenditures for a primary was $19 million by Honor Pennsylvania, a super PAC that boosted now-Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) in the 2022 Senate primary, according to data compiled by OpenSecrets. Despite that heavy spending, McCormick lost in that primary.
Pending SCOTUS arguments reignite thorny issue of campaign spending [[link removed]] (Public News Service)
Hilary Braseth, executive director of the nonpartisan watchdog organization OpenSecrets, said it is a big difference between the outcome of the controversial Citizens United ruling from 2010 concerning political action committees. "Nowadays in elections, we often hear about super PACS," Braseth pointed out. "These groups are able to spend unlimited amounts, in so far, they don't directly coordinate with the candidates."
MAGA Civil War Takes Ugly New Turn As Musk And Trump Trade Late-Night Threats [[link removed]] (HuffPost)
Musk spent roughly $291 million during the 2024 election cycle, most notably to help Trump, according to OpenSecrets.org. He became a top campaign surrogate for Trump and, after the election, the two seemed almost inseparable.
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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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