Your weekly money in politics newsletter.

March 23, 2023

FEC hears testimony on use of campaign funds to cover salaries, health care

The Federal Election Commission heard public comments on a proposed rule change to allow candidates to use campaign funds to cover salaries and health care.

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Senate panel set to grill Moderna CEO over COVID-19 vaccine price hikes

Moderna spent $690,000 on federal lobbying in 2022, more than the pharmaceutical and biotechnology company spent in any single year.

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In Case You Missed it: Sunshine Week

As part of this annual celebration aimed at promoting transparency, OpenSecrets shined a light on key issues related to money in politics. Our fact-filled reporting followed the money behind billions that poured into the 2022 midterms, record state-level political fundraising, “pop-up” super PACs, “revolving door” lobbyists and more!

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OpenSecrets in the News

See our media citations from outlets around the nation this week:

Armed with influencers and lobbyists, TikTok goes on the offense on Capitol Hill (NPR)

"In 2019, they spent essentially pennies on lobbying activity. And now they have spent the fourth most of any tech company lobbying Congress," said Sarah Bryner, research director for OpenSecrets.

Ramen noodles and drained savings: FEC weighs allowing candidates to use political cash to pay themselves bigger salaries (CNN)

Running for Congress is a time-consuming and expensive enterprise. The average successful House winner in the 2022 midterms spent nearly $2.8 million in campaign funds, according to OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan organization that tracks political money.

‘They keep coming back’: a Black community in Arizona battles power expansion plans again (The Guardian)

To get what they want from Congress, electric utilities spent $347m on lobbying Washington in the past three years, including $3.4m by SRP affiliates, according to OpenSecrets.

The New York Times

The Washington Post

South Carolina Public Radio