By The Numbers
$1,200,000 - Rep. Daryl Issa buys condo on Kalorama in 2000
$2,443,400 - Current assessed value in 2012.
$2,546,300 - New assessment for 2013.
$102,900 - Increase 2012-2013.
Obama Raises $25.7 Million in April
5/18/2012
Obama for America reported raising $25,705,858 and disbursing $14,644,620 during April, leaving cash on hand of $115,157,433. The receipts included $4.5 million transferred in from the Obama Victory 2012. The committee reported 99,693 contributions totaling $21,180,256, including $10,712,510 in unitemized contributions of $200 or less. The committee had major expenditures of paid $2.4 million in payroll; $2.4 million in on-line advertising; $1.8 million in media buys; $1.5 million in postage; $922,108 for printing; and 917,943 for telemarketing. Their major vendor, Bully Pulpit Interactive LLC, was paid paid $2.36 million.
DNC Raises $14.4 Million In April
5/18/2012
The Democratic National Committee reported raising $14,378,8901 and disbursing $14,539,075, leaving cash on hand of $24,284,707. The receipts included $7.5 Million transferred in from the Obama Victory Fund 2012. Major donors to the Victory Fund giving $30,800 included Oprah Winfrey (CEO, Harpo Inc.), Sam Walton (exec., Walnut Store), Barry Meyer (CEO, Warner Bros.), Tobey Maguire (actor), Conrad Cafritz (real estate), and Herb Alpert (self employed), among others. The committee transferred $6 million to state party committees, and repaid a million dollars on a loan. The committee paid $1.2 million for direct mail and $742K for telemarketing.
JPMorgan Chase PAC & Ina Drew's Contributions
5/18/2012
The JPMorgan Chase & Co. PAC reported it had raised $109,503 and disbursed $132,570 during April, leaving cash on hand of $1,503,664. The PAC gave out $70,000 to federal candidates and committees, and $62,550 to state and local candidates and committees. The PAC's payroll deduction plan brought in 6,944 contributions, including two $208 contributions from Ina Drew, Chief Information Officer. After 24 pay periods her contributions would max out at $5,000 per year. Besides giving to her company PAC she also gave directly this cycle to Bob Corker for Senate ($2,000) and McConnell Senate Committee '14 ($2,000). On May 14th JP Morgan Chase & Co. announced her retirement from the company in the wake of their trading losses. 

Drew's payroll deduction plan is similar to those used by senior executives in many other companies. Procter & Gamble CEO Melanie Healey also gives $208 twice a month. Ellen Kullman, CEO of E.I. Dupont de Nemours, gives $416 12 times a year, as does Charlene Begley, CEO of GE Home & Business Solutions. Others write one $5,000 check a year to their company PAC, such as Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, and Google VP for Product Management Marissa Mayer.
A Partial Glance of Political Activity on Facebook
5/18/2012
Facebook Inc. has been paid over $840,000 directly by federal political committees so far this election cycle. This total does not include all Senate campaigns since they do not file electronic reports and the FEC is still entering data. And it does not include payments made to advertising or media firms who then pay Facebook. Those committees heavily utilizing Facebook this cycle include: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ($228,874), Progressive Change Campaign ($91,189), Emily's List ($57,085), Raising Red Action Fund ($35,324), Revolution PAC ($28,135), Committee to Elect Alan Grayson ($24,912), Republican National Committee ($24,234), National Republican Congressional Committee ($23,252), among others.

In the full 2009-2010 cycle, Facebook Inc. was paid $1,353,592 directly from federal committees. Heavy users were Moveon.org ($198,588), the DCCC ($139,141), Our Country Deserves Better PAC - Teapartyexpress.org ($102,242), among others.
PACs Spring Into April Giving
5/18/2012
The top PACs are opening their war chests for candidates during April. Honeywell Int'l. PAC reported it gave out $146,366 to federal candidates and committees. AT&T PAC reported it gave out $128,750.  Union Pacific Corp. Fund for Effective Government reported it gave out $67,000 to federal candidates and committees. Microsoft Corp. PAC reported it gave out $80,500 to federal candidates and committees. The American Resort Development Assn. PAC reported it gave out $80,675. Koch Industries PAC reported it gave out $73,000 to federal candidates and committees.The American Assn. for Justice PAC reported giving out $108,500 to federal candidates. The Communications Workers of America Political Contributions Committee reported it gave out $86,750 to federal candidates. The Service Employees Union COPE reported it gave out $110,500 to federal candidates. It also gave $500,000 to We Are Wisconsin PAC. 
Members Remember More Assets and Amend Personal Financial Reports
5/18/2012
In the last few days ten members of Congress have filed amended personal financial disclosure reports covering 2010 or earlier years and disclosing newly remembered assets. Rep. John Dingell added his spouse's consulting business ($100K-$250K) and bank account ($100K-$200K). Rep. John Graves added two retirement accounts ($16K-$65K). Rep. Judy Chu added her spouse's bank account ($100K-$250K). Rep. Henry Cuellar added two pre-paid tuition plans ($65K-$150K). Rep. Ted Deutch added three tuition pre-paid plans ($3K-$45K). Rep. Vicki Hartzler added a retirement plan ($50K-$100K). Rep. David McKinley added two retirement plans of his spouse ($150K-$350K). Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz added three tuition pre-paid plans ($3K-$45K). Rep. Emanuel Cleaver added a bank loan liability ($15-$50K). Rep. Steven Rothman added the sale of two assets ($2K-$30K).

Reports covering CY2011 activity were to have been filed May 15th. Those reports will be made public in thirty days. Sixteen Senators have received extensions.
Club for Growth Action Spent $2.3 Million in April
5/17/2012
The Club for Growth Action, a super PAC, reported raising $722,02 and disbursing $2,334,765 in April, leaving cash on hand of $3,448,804. Major donors in April included $200,000 from Team Demint; $200,000 from Jerry Hayden (AZ); $100,000 from Marilyn Hayden (AZ); and $100,000 from Jackson Stephens (AR). The PAC made $2,240,235 in independent expenditures during April. In the first four months of 2012 the PAC made the many independent expenditures such as the following: $1,449,097 opposing Richard Lugar; $1,267,620 supporting Richard Mourdock; $520,340 opposing Jon Bruning; $261,268 supporting Scott Keadle.

The PAC also filed an independent expenditure notice late on 5/17 reporting that it had just spent $919,826 on 5/16 opposing David Dewhurst (S-TX).
DNC Reports Lower Payments for White House Airlift Travel
5/17/2012
The DNC Travel Offset Account, a federally registered political committee, reported it paid the White House Airlift unit only $9,972 in April for airfare, compared to $101,786 in March and $112,869 in March. In the last six months the highest payment was $173,074 in November 2011 and the lowest was this April, $9,972. The account is used to pay costs of political White House travel. The account has cash on hand of $857,508 as of 4/30.
Air Traffic Controllers Guide $1 Million to Super PAC
5/17/2012
The National Air Traffic Controllers Assn. PAC reported it had raised $196,179 and disbursed $1,127,682 during April, leaving cash on hand of $998,198.  The PAC gave $1,079,500 to federal candidates and committees. The largest was $1,000,000 on 4/29 to Priorities USA Action, a Democratic party-oriented super PAC.
FedEx PAC Delivers $10,000 to Wisconsin Gov. Walker
5/17/2012
The Federal Express PAC reported it had raised $136,132 and disbursed $66,300 in April, leaving cash on hand of $813,604. The PAC received 656 contributions from employees, many of which appeared to be via payroll deduction. The PAC gave $10,000 to federal candidates and committees, voided one check, and gave $57,300 to state and local candidates. The PAC gave $10,000 to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and $5,000 to Combat Veterans for Congress, a PAC supporting the election of fiscally conservative combat veterans to Congress. 

Other federal PACs that reported giving large amounts in 2012 to Friends of Scott Walker include Caterpiller Employee PAC $40,000; HTNB Holdings PAC $21,000; Honeywell Int'l PAC $20,000; WellPoint Inc PAC $20,000; National Rifle Assn. Political Victory Fund $10,000; Walgreen Co. PAC $5,000; PPG Better Government Team $5,000; and Eli Lilly PAC $5,000.
Establishment Is Pitted Against Tea Party in Kentucky
5/17/2012
The Republican establishment and conservative third-party groups are tussling yet again - this time in Kentucky's 4th district. View Roll Call article.
Anti-Establishment PAC Taps Donors to Establishment GOP Causes
5/17/2012
The Campaign for Primary Accountability, a super PAC that bills itself as nonpartisan and was instrumental in ousting incumbent Republican Jean Schmidt (Ohio) and Don Manzullo (Ill.), has raised nearly all of its $2.5 million from donors who have supported Republican candidates and the GOP party committees the group claims to be working against. View Roll Call article.
Dennis Kucinich Won't Run Here - Or Anywhere Else
5/16/2012
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) will not seek a House seat in Washington state this year after losing a primary to a fellow Democratic Member in March.  View Roll Call article. Kucinich has just returned from a May 7-10 trip to Dubai where he was the keynote speaker at the 15th Commencement Exercise of American University in Dubai. The university paid $14,563 cost of the trip.
April Fundraising Reports Due Sunday
5/16/2012
Campaign finance reports covering April activity are due at the FEC on Sunday the 20th. Early filings and press release indicate it was a good month for candidates.

National Beer Wholesalers Assn. PAC reported raising $167,936 and disbursing $162,611. They gave $162,500 to federal candidates and committees.

GoDaddy.com PAC reported it had stepped up their contributions to candidates and political parties, giving out $55,000. The company GoDaddy.com also continues to be paid by candidates and committees for domain name registrations. Use Political MoneyLine's disbursement search to view the 726 payments this cycle.

Lockheed Martin reported giving $207,000 to federal candidates and committees.

Texas Medical Assn. PAC reported prior to its primary that it had made $400,253 in disbursements, $46,500 to federal candidates and $328,094 to state and local candidates.

Emily's List reported it raised $2,479,171 and disbursed $1,851,498, leaving cash on hand of $2,765,527.

Labor organizations also stepped up their giving. The United Assn. Political Education Committee gave out $273.047. The Engineers Political Education Committee disbursed $252,765, including $250,000 to Lunchpail Republicans PAC on 4/9.

Independent expenditures were also reported by the Committee to Elect and Effective Valley Congressman. It paid $96,219 on 5/14 to U.S. Int'l Media for ads supporting Howard Berman (D-CA). The Texas Conservatives Fund spent another $250,000 opposing Rafael Cruz (S-TX).
Clawback Gets $50K from Republican Governors Assn.
5/15/2012
The Republican Governors Assn., a Section 527 organization, reported in its 2012 first quarter report that it had paid Douglas A. Kelly-Receiver (Minneapolis, MN) $50,000 as a refund on 2/6. Kelly was appointed by the federal government as receiver to recover funds from the Petters Ponzi scheme involving 150 companies. Thomas Petters (Petters Group Worldwide) was listed in earlier reports as donating $50,000 on 12/7/2006. Use Political MoneyLine's donor search to view others who received funds from Thomas Petters.
Court Decision: Groups Now Required to Disclose Contributors Financing "Elections Communications"
5/15/2012

In a press release today Democracy 21 said "a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit late yesterday turned down a request to stay a district court ruling that struck down an FEC regulation that had all but eliminated the disclosure of donors to groups that make “electioneering communications” in federal elections. The district court ruling by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on March 30, 2012 came in a case brought last year by Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and held that the FEC regulation was in violation of a statutory requirement that “all contributors” to such groups be disclosed."
Nonprofit Prods Ron Paul for Repayment of Flights
5/15/2012
A libertarian organization that paid for plane tickets and other expenses for Rep. Ron Paul says after an audit that the Texas Republican defrauded the group for about $20,000. The group is pushing Paul for repayment and exploring legal remedies. View Roll Call article.
Super PAC Spends $1 Million in the U.S. Senate Primary in Texas
5/14/2012
The Texas Conservatives Fund, a Super PAC, reported today that it had paid $1 million to SRH Media in Silver Spring, MD. on 5/14 , and $13,334 to Savanna Communications in Washington, D.C. on 5/14 for independent expenditures opposing Rafael Cruz in the U.S. Senate race in the Texas Republican Primary. The Texas Conservatives Fund is supporting David Dewhurst and received early financial help from Bob Perry (Perry Homes).
ActBlue Hits $49 Million Mark
5/14/2012
ActBlue reported it had raised $4,188,526 and spent $4,889,613 during April. The group passed along $4.7 million in contributions to federal candidates and committees. The group has $5,329,905 cash on hand. The group has averaged over $5 million a month in receipts in 2012, compared with $1.8 million a month for the first four months of 2011, and $2.3 million a month for the first four months of 2010. The group collected $63 million in the 2010 cycle and has already collected $49 million in the first 16 months of this cycle.
The Lobbyist in the Gray Flannel Suit
5/14/2012
As the American political classes become more polarized, with faction pitted against faction, there is a consolidating force at work in the $6 billion-a-year influence-peddling industry. View Thomas Edsall's NewYork Times article.
Landry Ads Raise Questions
5/14/2012
Louisiana Rep. Jeff Landry's single largest office expense during the third quarter of last year was $30,000 for radio ads promoting meetings outside his current district but within a redrawn one where he may battle a fellow House Republican should be run for a second term. View Roll Call article.
Independent Expenditures In Nebraska Republican Primary
5/13/2012
Ending Spending Action Fund, a Super PAC that supported Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker and had spent against Sen. Harry Reid in Nevada in 2010, reported it had made $248,363 in independent expenditures on 5/12 for the U.S. Senate campaign in the Nebraska Republican Primary. The group paid $248,363 to Smart Media Group for ads supporting Debra Fischer ($100,181) and opposing Jon Bruning ($100,181). It also paid $48,000 to Strategic Perception Inc. for ads supporting Debra Fischer ($24,000) and opposing Jon Bruning ($24,000). The group was founded by Joe Ricketts, former CEO and chairman of TD Ameritrade, based in Nebraska.
Sen. Lugar and Hatch Share Home Buying History
5/13/2012

Both Sen. Dick Lugar and Sen. Orrin Hatch came to the Senate in 1977 and both quickly bought houses in the same community. 

Lugar bought a newly built Washington, D.C. area home in March 1977 for $154,500. The single-family, detached, two-story, five bedroom house now has a 2012 tax assessed value of $1,103,760.  It has 3,550 square feet of living space and the lot is 43,590 square feet. It increased $10,890 in value between tax year 2011 and 2012. Its highest assessed value was in tax year 2008 when it was valued at $1,234,100. 

Hatch bought a newly built Washington, D.C. area home in January 1977 for $129,500. The single-family, detached, split level, brick, four bedroom house now has a 2012 tax assessed value of $767,300.  It has 2,055 square feet of living area and the lot is 43,704 square feet. It decreased $11,140 in value between 2011 and 2012. Its highest assessed value was in tax year 2006 when it was valued at $853,290. 

Political MoneyLine includes in its profile of each member of Congress the value of their Washington, D.C. area owned home, if any.  The value is not required to be reported in their personal financial disclosure statements. 
U.S. Chamber Launching Targeted YouTube Ad Campaign
5/12/2012
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, on pace to spend upward of $50 million on voter mobilization this campaign cycle, has launched a YouTube advertising campaign targeting residents of seven Congressional districts.  More ads in other districts are likely on the horizon. View Roll Call article.
$1.9 Million Spent for Romney
5/12/2012
Restore Our Future Inc., a Super PAC, reported on 5/12 that it paid Mentzer Media Services $1,965,689 on 5/10 as an independent expenditure in support of Mitt Romney.

The Majority PAC, a Democratic Party-oriented Super PAC, reported it had made independent expenditures of $300,701 on 5/10 opposing Josh Mandel (S-OH). They also spent $126,283 on 5/11 opposing Jesse Kelly (AZ-08). They also spent $141,286 on 5/11 supporting Julia Brownley (CA-26). They also spent $21,931 on 5/11 opposing Linda Parks (CA-26).

The Conservative Renewal PAC reported independent expenditure spending of $125,000 on 5/11 supporting  David Dewhurst (S-TX) and $47,500 on 5/11 opposing Thomas Leppert (S-TX).
Hollywood Fundraising Events Hard To Document
5/12/2012

The receipts and disbursements for Jeffrey Katzenberg’s fundraising event in Hollywood Thursday night at the home of George Clooney should be reported in the June 20th filing disclosure report of the joint fund raising committee, the Obama Victory Fund 2012, set up by Obama’s campaign committee Obama For America ($2,500 limit) and the Democratic National Committee ($35,800 limit).  However, some events in the past have been cascading events that get out of the control of the federally regulated committee. This is especially true when the event is in someone’s home, is in a city that is not the location of the committee staff, and is swayed by persons that can bowl over committee staff or make commitments or decisions on their own.

In August 2000 a “Hollywood tribute to William Jefferson Clinton” at the Brentwood home of Ken Roberts was setup by New York Senate 2000, a joint soft and hard money fundraising event for the Hillary Rodham Clinton for U.S. Senate Committee, the DSCC, and the New York State Democratic Party. The committee was later fined $35,000 by the FEC (MUR 5225) and was required to amend their reports to show an additional $721,000 in contributions from Peter Paul, one of the event organizers. The committee had only reported $366,000 of his contributions. 
N.Y. Congressman Will Reimburse Costs for $22,000 Taiwan Trip
5/12/2012
Rep. Bill Owens, D-N.Y., said that he will personally reimburse a Taiwan university for the $22,132 trip he took to the island with his wife in December. View ProPublica article. View Owen's January travel report.
FEC Revises Guidebook for Enforcement Process
5/11/2012
The Federal Election Commission approved a revised Guidebook for Complainants and Respondents on the FEC Enforcement Process. The Guidebook summaries the Commission's general enforcement policies and procedures and offers additional guidance concerning the enforcement process. The revised document adds descriptions of and links to the policies, procedures, and directives relevant to the enforcement process that the Commission has approved since the original publication of Guidebook in December 2009. View approved agenda document. Make a copy - Save legal fees.
FEC Approves Legislative Recommendations to Congress
5/11/2012
The Federal Election Commission unanimously approved five legislative recommendations for 2012 to be submitted for consideration to Congress: (1) to require electronic filing for Senate candidates; (2) to make permanent the Administrative Fine program, which gives authority to the Commission to assess administrative fines for committees that fail to timely report receipts and disbursements in a timely manner; (3) to expand the prohibitions on fraudulent misrepresentation of campaign authority; (4) to extends the personal use restrictions to all political committees; and (5) to delete the exclusion of the Commission from eligibility for the Senior Executive Service. View FEC agenda document.
El Paso Corp PAC Makes Record Contributions in April
5/10/2012
The El Paso Corporation PAC reported it had disbursed $237,000 to federal candidates during April, and $9,000 to state candidates and committees. This is the largest monthly payout ever. Through March the El Paso Corp PAC had given out only $64,500 to candidates, 79% to Republicans. Kinder Morgan Inc. and El Paso Corp. hope to complete their merger on May 24th and this PAC activity may be part of the effort to close the El Paso Corp. PAC. The PAC took in no receipts in April and has only $10,193 cash on hand on 4/30.
Top Associations Giving To Candidates
5/10/2012
Fifteen national associations have each given more than $1 million to federal candidates in the first fifteen months of this election cycle. Six of those have given more than $1.5 million. Leading the list is the National Assn. of Realtors PAC $2.2 million, the National Beer Wholesalers Assn. PAC $2.1 million, the American Assn. for Justice PAC $1.8 million, the American Bankers Assn. PAC $1.8 million, the PAC of the Credit Union National Assn. $1.6 million, and the Dealers Election Action Committee of the National Automotive Dealers Assn. $1.5 million.

Also in the top list are the American College of Radiology Assn. PAC $1.2 million, the National Air traffic Controllers Assn. PAC $1.2 million, the PAC of the American Assn. of Orthopaedic Surgeons $1.1 million, the American Dental Assn. PAC $1.1 million, the Action Committee for Rural Electrification of the National Rural Electric Cooperative $1.1 million, the Independent Community Bankers PAC $1 million, the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers PAC $1.1 million, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers PAC $1.1 million, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists PAC $1 million. 

View full ranking of the top 100 association PACs' contributions to candidates, including their Democrat/Republican breakdown.
Ethics Panel Says It Will Continue Probe of Buchanan
5/10/2012
The House Ethics Committee said Wednesday that it would continue reviewing whether Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) offered almost $3 million to settle a series of legal disputes with a former business partner in exchange for him filing a false affidavit with the Federal Election Commission. View Roll Call article.
Super PAC Spends $542K For Massie
5/10/2012
Liberty For All Super PAC reported it had paid Nebo Media $542,600 for independent expenditures supporting Thomas Massie (R-KY-04). The PAC had previously endorsed Ron Paul for president and Thomas Massie. The Massie campaign had reported raising $232,520 and spending $75,442 in the first quarter, leaving cash on hand of $157,088 and debts of $80,000.
Realtors Spend $433,600 for Gary Miller in California
5/9/2012
The National Assn. of Realtors PAC reported today that they had made $433,600 in independent expenditures supporting Gary Miller (R-CA-42). They paid SSG media $396,000 on 5/9, and they paid DDC Advocacy $37,000 on 5/9.
Democrats Far Behind in Super PAC Money
5/9/2012
For Democratic super PACs struggling to catch up with their cash-flush GOP counterparts, the news that financier George Soros will soon give $2 million to a couple of progressive groups comes as small consolation. View Roll Call article. View Super PACs' overall receipts and party orientation.
Sen. Bingaman 'consultant' Was Lobbyist
5/9/2012
A lobbyist for a generic drug company was introduced as a special consultant to Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) during negotiations on patent law, according to others who attended the meeting. View The Hill article.
Pawlenty Terminates Federal PAC
5/8/2012
Former presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty today filed a termination report for his federal political action committee, Freedom First PAC, effective 4/30. His electronic letter indicated all debts have been paid. During its existence the PAC raised and spent $3.7 million.
Today's Primary Elections
5/8/2012
N.C. Primaries Map Likely GOP Pickups. Primary voters are headed to the polls today in North Carolina, a state that the GOP has a lot riding on at the presidential and Congressional levels this November. View Roll Call article. View money tally as of 4/18 in North Carolina.

Downballot, Established Candidates Lead In Indiana. Sen. Dick Lugar's uphill re-election battle is the marquee race on the GOP ballot today in Indiana, where primary voters are headed to the polls to decide the six-term Senator's political fate. View Roll Call article. View money tally as of 4/18 in Indiana.
AMA Picks Up The Beat
5/8/2012
The American Medical Association PAC has increased their activity by giving out $114,000 during April in contributions to campaigns. This is the largest monthly amount this election cycle. They also have been carrying a cash on hand balance of $2.4 million.  View chart of last 16 months activity. View PAC profile and money given to Republicans and Democrats from 1980 to the present.
Many in Google Inc.'s Army Are Paid To Wait
5/8/2012
Google Inc.'s first K Street hire was a fledgling shop whose two lobbyists had been the subject of a mass mail alleging they had an extramarital affair.  That was nine years ago. View Roll Call article. View lobbying by Google and the lobbying firms they have hired.
Realtors List $1.8 Million Going Into Fund
5/7/2012
The National Association of Realtors reported it had moved $1,809,934 from their corporate treasury during April into their National Association of Realtors Congressional Fund, a Super PAC that makes independent expenditures. During April the fund made $136,315 in independent expenditures for Rep. Gary Miller (R-CA). The fund had cash on hand of $1,676,195 as of 4/30.  The Fund was started in September of 2010 when NAR gave it $1.1 million.
Super PAC Sets Up Separate Account for Hard Money
5/7/2012
The Red White and Blue Fund, a Super PAC that supported Rick Santorum, filed an amended statement of organization today to indicate that they are setting up a separate account to be used for making contributions to federal candidates and committees. Santorum used the fund last week to pay for an announcement of his support for Attorney General Jon Bruning in the Nebraska Republican Senate primary. The fund may become Santorum's political organization. The fund has raised over $8 million since Oct. 1, 2011 and had $262,949 cash on hand as of 3/31.
Super PAC Spends $2 Million For Romney
5/7/2012
Restore Our Future Inc., a Super PAC, reported on Saturday that it had paid Mentzer Media Services Inc. $2,031,560 on 5/3 for independent expenditures supporting Mitt Romney. They also paid McCarthy Hennings Media Inc $12,962. This brings the committee's calendar year to date amount to $2,044,522 for supporting Romney.
Lobbyists Focus On Tea Leaves
5/7/2012
DLA Piper hosted an elegant two-course breakfast briefing at the Willard InterContinental last week. The audience was a collection of clients, Hill aides, lawyers, diplomats and reporters. The fare was unabashedly political. And that was the point. View Roll Call article.
RIM's Team Messages Any Action on Spectrum Legislation
5/5/2012

Canadian multinational telecommunications company Research In Motion (RIM) reported it had spent $832,000 on lobbying in the first quarter of 2012. This is down slightly from the fourth quarter of 2011 when it reported spending $884,000. Their specific lobbying issues included: S.455 RADIOS Act, S.415 Spectrum Optimization Act, H.R. 911 Spectrum Inventory and Auction Act, H.R. 3261 Stop Online Piracy Act, S.968 Protect IP Act, S.2105 The Cybersecurity Act f 2012, and H.R. 3630 Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. RIM's products include the Blackberry wireless solution. In-house lobbyists included Clint Robinson and Jason Scism. 

Also included in the amount of money spent in the first quarter are payments to seven lobbying firms: Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti $50,000 (twelve lobbyists); Vinson & Elkins $50,000 (one lobbyist); The Walter Group $45,000 (one lobbyist); Clark Lyttle Gedulding & Cranford $30,000 (six lobbyists); Franklin Square Group $30,000 (five lobbyists); Park Strategies Washington Group $30,000 (two lobbyists); and Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre $20,000 (one lobbyist). View the lobbying reports of these, including the lobbyist names and their previous government positions. 
Soros Money Moves to Super PAC
5/5/2012

The Jewish Council for Education and Research, a Super PAC, reported it had raised $202,140 in the first quarter and spent $2,284, leaving cash on hand of $200,050.  The major donor was Alexander Soros (student, NY, NY) who gave $200,000 on March 28th. Alexander is the son of George Soros.
FEC Federal/State Disclosure Directory Available
5/5/2012

The Federal Election Commission has updated its Combined Federal/State Disclosure and Election Directory. This publication identifies the federal and state agencies responsible for the disclosure of campaign finances, lobbying, personal finances, public financing, candidates on the ballot, election results, spending on state initiatives and other financial filings. View FEC publication.
Romney Super PAC Donors Put At Credit Card Risk
5/4/2012
The political fund that has raised more than $50 million to support Mitt Romney’s bid for the presidency has been collecting money online with a system so insecure that it exposes donors’ credit card information to even casual snoopers. View Washington Times article.
Senate Candidates Add Millions
5/4/2012
Two Senate candidates recently contributed more than a million dollars to their own campaigns in 2012.  John Brunner (R, Oregon) contributed $1,207,000 in the first quarter of 2012 and contributed $1,035,614 in 2011.  Eric Hovde (R, Wisconsin) contributed $1,200,000 on March 28th and $300,000 on March 29th. 
Former Members Sit On Millions
5/4/2012
Former Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN, January 3, 1999 to January 3, 2011), now a partner with the law firm McGuireWoods, still has the Evan Bayh Committee campaign account going with a reported March 31, 2012 cash on hand figure of $10,151,217. 

Former Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA, January 3, 1997 to July 1, 2007), now Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, still has a campaign account open, showing March 31, 2012 cash on hand of $4,785,943. Over the last several years the Marty Meehan for Congress Committee has given some contributions to party committees and to other candidates for Congress, as well as some charities. The committee has also given $40,000 to the Marty Meehan Educational Foundation.

Use Political MoneyLine's Candidate $ Leaders chart to rank all candidates by receipts, disbursements, individual contributions, PAC money, Party money, candidate money, and cash on hand.

View more postings...

We're Back!

Kent Cooper and Tony Raymond , the original producers of PoliticalMoneyLine, FECInfo and Tray.com return to counting the money and highlighting key transactions and rankings.

Person Of The Week!
Rep. Chris Van Hollen wins another round in court to force the FEC to write stricter disclosure rules for 'electioneering communications.'