The Center for International Policy released a new report this month focusing on the nuke lobby — the coalition of defense contractors and former government officials who continue to push for costly Cold War-style nuclear stockpile and delivery systems. Interestingly, the report references a statement by the late Senator William Proxmire, Democrat of Wisconsin, from
Continue Reading >>>

Last month, “Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to let stand a decision by the Montana Supreme Court, American Tradition Partnership vs. Bullock, upholding the state’s ban on outside election spending by corporations. The anti-environmental group American Tradition Partnership contends that Montana’s law conflicts directly with the Supreme
Continue Reading >>>

Earlier today, the House of Representatives moved to help save $30 million dollars for medical device companies while defunding programs designed to expand health coverage for ordinary Americans. The House took action on legislation to “repeal a 2.3 percent excise tax on gross sales receipts in excess of $5 million for manufacturers and importers of
Continue Reading >>>

Billionaire Sheldon Adelson, owner of casinos in Macau and Las Vegas, is planning to boost Mitt Romney’s chances for the White House. Yesterday, Politico reported on the ongoing efforts by political operatives to solicit funds from Adelson. A day after his story was published, Ken Vogel disclosed that Adelson may give Romney’s Super PAC as
Continue Reading >>>

Last week, we reported that Georgia tea partiers and progressives are uniting to demand that state lawmakers sign a pledge endorsing a $100 per-day gift ceiling for lobbyists in their state. Right now, lobbyists can spend virtually anything they want, and sometimes it’s not even properly disclosed. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports today that more and
Continue Reading >>>

One of the worst forms of bribery that takes place in Washington, D.C. arises when lawmakers retire. As we’ve reported, many lawmakers, once they announce retirement, open themselves up for corruption. These members of Congress will make a special deal or offer an earmarks, and end up taking jobs later at firms that benefit from
Continue Reading >>>

While government services are being slashed and every American told that they can expect less retirement benefits, Congress is moving to increase the amount taxpayers hand over to defense companies. From the F-35 jet, which will carry a lifetime cost of over $1.45 trillion dollars, to a $594 million“slush fund” of new Pentagon programs, lawmakers
Continue Reading >>>

This post originally appeared on The Huffington Post. In the post-Citizens United era, wealthy individuals and corporations think democracy is a trophy they can buy, stuff and mount on their parlor walls. But Americans scored a solid victory against big money in April when the Federal Communications Commission decided to require television broadcasters to post data online about
Continue Reading >>>