Explore companies, lawmakers and prominent individuals that matter to you and see how they're influencing the political system
What's New
Updated information about comments that organizations submit to influence the federal rulemaking process—a lesser-known way for organizations to influence government decisions—has been added to organization pages on Influence Explorer.
The information gives insight into how laws are formed in this country, and whose opinions are heard by the people who shape those laws.
This data originates at Regulations.gov, but comes to Influence Explorer from the Sunlight Foundation's Docket Wrench.
During the last election cycle, Influence Explorer added regularly updated campaign finance data straight from the Federal Election Commission. This raw data allows users to access up to date fundraising information for all federal candidates. (The FEC releases data within one week of the candidate filing.)
At this stage in the 2014 campaign cycle, the data will serve people interested in special elections around the country and will be ready for analysis when the next election heats up.
Standardized campaign finance data from the Center for Responsive Politics is also still available to view and/or download for all federal candidates.
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Top Pages
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Tools
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Inbox Influence
See the political contributions of the people and organizations that are mentioned in emails you receive.
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Checking Influence
When you shop, do you wonder where your money really goes?
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Poligraft
See connections between money and politics in news articles you read everyday.
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Influence Explored
regularly updated news and analysis using Influence ExplorerOpenGov Voices: Day of Action on Sunday: Know the influence behind your grocery purchase
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the guest blogger and those providing comments are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the Sunlight Foundation or any employee thereof. Sunlight Foundation is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information within the guest blog.
Szelena Gray is the Executive Director of Rootstrikers, a new generation of activists founded by Lawrence Lessig to take a stand against the corrupting influence of money in politics. Found a good story about corruption? Use #Rootstrikers.
There are many ways to define smart consumerism — including being budget, GMO, organic, or fairtrade conscious. Why not add corruption to the list?
For companies whose products we buy every day, it's business as usual to spend millions of dollars to influence public elections. Yet most Americans don’t shop according to their views on money in politics, and if they would, might not know where to begin. On May 19th, Rootstrikers in fourteen cities across the country will aim to change that with a public education campaign about the money that flows into politics from some of our favorite brands.
Here's the plan: Rootstrikers will head to local consumer haunts and, with the help ...
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