Last week, ThinkProgress’s Scott Keyes found an amazing interview with Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) where she totally dismissed the concerns of students who have large amounts of debt as a result of getting an education. “I have very little tolerance for people who tell me that they graduate with $200,000 of debt or even $80,000
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On the heels of Fox News, the Wall Street Journal has a new editorial bemoaning the pressure brought by activist groups on the American Legislative Exchange Council, a corporate law-writing front better known simply as ALEC. Thanks to efforts by a coalition of watchdog and civil rights activists, plus blogs like Republic Report, the public now knows
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Here’s an obvious reason for members of Congress to fix our campaign finance system in the wake of the Citizens United decision: Big, sometimes secret, money can cost them their jobs. Congressman Tim Holden (D-PA), who is facing a strong challenge from the left in his primary election next week, is also facing a barrage
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Congressman Tim Holden (D-PA) is locked in a tough Democratic primary fight with Matt Cartwright, a local attorney who is challenging the entrenched congressman over his votes against health reform, clean energy, and for voting to deregulate the fracking industry. Holden, a member of the pro-corporate Blue Dog caucus, appears to be raising last minute
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Our friends at Color of Change have just announced that Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has decided to leave the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC): “This week I spoke with an executive at Blue Cross Blue Shield who told me that the company did not renew its membership in the American Legislative Exchange Council this
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The past few weeks have not treated the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) well. At least ten companies or major foundations have dropped out of the group after protests raged over its role in drafting voter suppression and “Stand Your Ground” laws. In apparent response to these protests, ALEC has now announced in a press
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The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is the most powerful corporate front group you’ve never heard of. Drawing the vast majority of its financing from big corporations, the group allows these firms to help write bills that it then secretly passes off to state legislators to get turned into laws. The organization has come under
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As we’ve noted, one of the biggest problems in Washington is the level of secrecy in lobbying. Communications consultants, lawyers, fundraisers, and other political professionals produce public pressure campaigns and make back room deals without ever registering as lobbyists, so the public is constantly left in the dark about who is really shaping our government.
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