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October 10th, 2019
This week in money-in-politics
 
Presidential contenders still not disclosing bundlers 

In a break from tradition and a blow to transparency, presidential candidates are still not revealing information about the well-connected donors helping them raise campaign cash.

Federal candidates are not required to disclose information about bundlers — elite fundraisers who solicit contributions to a candidate from wealthy friends, business associates and other contacts — unless the bundler is a federal lobbyist. However, previous presidential candidates such as George W. Bush, John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton voluntarily disclosed at least some information about their bundlers. 

As with his 2016 campaign, President Donald Trump is hiding the fundraisers who are powering his 2020 reelection bid. And many of Trump’s Democratic opponents appear to be following his lead.

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US-based foreign agent bankrolled Ukraine President Zelensky’s DC lobbying in hopes of Ukrainian government job
 

A little known U.S.-based attorney quietly poured six figures into foreign influence operations for President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, hoping to be rewarded with a job in his administration, foreign agent records identified by OpenSecrets show. Read more

Congress to K Street: 176 members left for influence gigs over last decade


Over the last decade, at least 176 members of Congress joined the influence industry. A majority of those former lawmakers took their talents to K Street lobbying firms or major law firms that engage in federal lobbying work. Read More

Why are super PACs and other outside groups spending so little this cycle?


The $27.5 million in outside spending through Oct. 7 is less than half of what it was at this point in the 2018 cycle and substantially lower than 2016. Read More
Turkey outspends Kurdish forces on influence activities in Washington
 
Turkey launched its long-planned military operation on Wednesday to wipe out the Kurdish militia along its southern border with Syria, following a White House announcement on Sunday that the U.S. would step aside by withdrawing all its troops from the region.

The decision quickly drew criticism, with some of President Donald Trump’s fiercest allies condemning him for leaving behind Kurdish forces who helped fight against the Islamic State. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) swiftly proposed legislation within hours of the attack to sanction Turkey for invading northern Syria. 

Trump’s sudden shift in the U.S. foreign policy in the region comes amid controversy over his business connections with Turkey and aligns with the president’s pledge to stay out of foreign conflicts. It also takes place at a time when Turkish interests hired an army of lobbyists to sway U.S. politics. Read More
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