Open Secrets Archives | American Democracy Minute

Ever Wonder The Reason It Took So Long for the IRS to Offer an Online Tax Preparation App? Big Money Lobbying.

April 14, 2024April 14, 2024

The IRS has a pilot program in 12 states this year to file your personal taxes online for free without the use of 3rd party software. Wonder why it took so long? Big money lobbying.

It’s Been a Year Since the East Palestine Toxic Train Derailment. Since then, the Rail Industry Spent Millions in Congress to Stop More Regulation.

February 4, 2024February 4, 2024

February 3rd, 2023, 38 Norfolk Southern rail cars detailed in East Palestine, OH, 20 of which carried hazardous materials, and 11 of which caught fire. The Railway Safety Act was filed shortly after in Congress, but in 2023, Norfolk Southern and the rail industry spent millions to kill it.

It’s Worse Than You Think: Banks Spent Millions on Contributions & Lobbying to Both Parties, Just in the Last 2 Years

March 22, 2023March 22, 2023

The finance sector is by far the largest campaign contributor to federal candidates. But before you jump to any conclusions about which party is responsible for shaky bank regulations, you’ll want to listen to today’s report.

American Democracy Minute for May 26, 2022: The Big Money Spent by the Gun Lobby since Sandy Hook

May 25, 2022May 25, 2022

Lacking in the news reports about the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas were the totals spent by the gun lobby to influence our U.S. Congress and Senate into inaction. A May 16th article by money-in-politics research organization Open Secrets, details the lobbying and campaign contribution efforts since the Sandy Hook elementary massacre in 2012.