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KEY ISSUE • UPDATED May 23, 2026
Lobbying & Dark Money
Follow the Money
In 2025 alone, K Street spent $4.8 billion lobbying Congress. That is more than $9 million per member. Much of it is “dark money” — undisclosed contributions funneled through 501(c)(4) groups and super PACs that never have to reveal their donors.
How It Works
- Drafting Legislation: Lobbyists write the actual bill text (often 70-90% of final language in complex bills).
- Committee Gatekeeping: Key committee chairs receive the largest donations and block or advance bills accordingly.
- Revolving Door Bonus: Former members and staffers command $1M+ salaries at lobbying firms within months of leaving office.
2026 Spotlight
The Lobbying Transparency Act (bipartisan) would require:
- Real-time disclosure of all meetings between members and lobbyists
- Donor disclosure for all “dark money” groups influencing legislation
- Cooling-off periods extended to 5 years for former members becoming lobbyists
We expose the connections — interactive maps, donation timelines, and bill authorship analysis.
Democracy should not be for sale.
Data Sources: OpenSecrets, Lobbying Disclosure Act filings, CRP, and congressional records.