This week in money-in-politics — and a look back at 2021
Throughout 2021, OpenSecrets reported on tightly-webbed dark money schemes, elections that cost billions of dollars and key court cases that included top political spenders and advisers.
Here are OpenSecrets’ top stories of 2021 and a look back on the year that was. Read More.
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Liberal ‘dark money’ groups’ revenue soared ahead of 2020 elections
Liberal “dark money” groups got a fundraising boost in 2020 as they funneled millions of dollars into political contributions and spending.
America's largest coal miners union asks Manchin to reconsider opposition to Build Back Better (CBS News) Much of Manchin's personal wealth is linked to coal. According to OpenSecrets, which tracks money in politics, he made about $5 million from coal companies over the past decade. In 2020, he made between $591,950 and $1.5 million from Energystems, a coal brokerage company Manchin founded and ran, and had holdings of between $1.4 million and $5.8 million in coal companies, OpenSecrets found.
Why the US is paying more for the military after the Afghanistan war is over (Vox) The role of lobbying can’t be overstated. The defense industry spent $98.9 million lobbying so far in 2021, according to OpenSecrets. Lockheed Martin, one of the largest five military companies in the country, has a presence in every state, a strategy that defangs critics.
