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Sludge

@sludge

A non-partisan, independent news outlet exposing the moneyed interests that control U.S. politics. Get our newsletter: https://readsludge.com/

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Latest posts by Sludge @sludge

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Here Are the Members of Congress Invested in War More than 50 members of Congress own stock in defense contractors whose profits are soaring from giant Pentagon budgets and supplemental weapons packages.

We found more than 50 members of Congress invested in the stocks of defense contractors they fund (September 2024). Names, companies, and amounts:

06.03.2026 00:59 πŸ‘ 29 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Defense Contractor–Funded Think Tank Warns of Weapons Shortage After Iran Strikes NPR listeners weren’t told the think tank receives millions from Lockheed Martin, RTX, and Northrop Grumman.

NEW: As Trump prepares $50 billion supplemental for munitions depleted by Iran strikes, experts from defense contractor-funded think tanks are amplifying shortage warnings to reporters. readsludge.com/2026/03/05/d...

05.03.2026 15:21 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 15 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 3
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Here Is How Much AIPAC Has Funneled to Every Member of Congress Sludge analyzed FEC data to create a searchable list of AIPAC’s donations this cycle to every member of Congress.

Senate Republicans who voted down the Iran war powers resolution have received more than $6.1 million from AIPAC's PAC this cycle. The top two recipients in Congress are both GOP members up for re-election in 2026.

See latest AIPAC donations to every member of Congress:

05.03.2026 04:08 πŸ‘ 16 πŸ” 13 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Trump Quietly Invested Millions in Bank Securities, Late Ethics Filing Shows The President recently disclosed more than a hundred late trades made since May of last year, nearly all in banks and financial institutions.

SCOOP: Trump quietly invested as much as $20 million in bank securities last year and violated the STOCK Act by failing to publicly disclose the transactions. readsludge.com/2026/03/04/t...

04.03.2026 16:05 πŸ‘ 64 πŸ” 40 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 8
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Here Is How Much AIPAC Has Funneled to Every Member of Congress Sludge analyzed FEC data to create a searchable list of AIPAC’s donations this cycle to every member of Congress.

AIPAC is the top career contributor to Reps. Gottheimer, Landsman, and Moskowitz. The lobbying group is cheering lawmakers who supported the Trump admin's strikes on Iran.

We dove into FEC data to get the latest totals for everyone in Congress, ahead of war powers votes this week:

04.03.2026 15:21 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Four House Dems publicly oppose the Iran war powers resolution: Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Greg Landsman, Jared Moskowitz, and Tom Suozzi.

The four have received $1.5 million in donations from AIPAC PAC this cycle alone, and more than $1.8 million from the group before...

04.03.2026 15:21 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 15 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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Here Is How Much AIPAC Has Funneled to Every Member of Congress Sludge analyzed FEC data to create a searchable list of AIPAC’s donations this cycle to every member of Congress.

AIPAC operates as a conduit PAC for tens of millions in earmarked donations, enabling it to take credit with candidates for their hauls as the group lobbies in Washington.

In Congress, AIPAC's top 20 recipients have received more than $10.8 million this cycle. A third are Republican senators.

03.03.2026 14:07 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Here Is How Much AIPAC Has Funneled to Every Member of Congress Sludge analyzed FEC data to create a searchable list of AIPAC’s donations this cycle to every member of Congress.

AIPAC is funneling tens of millions in hard-dollar contributions to the campaigns of the lawmakers who will vote this week on Iran war powers resolutions. See latest totals for every member of Congress:

03.03.2026 04:26 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

On Feb. 28, the day the strike on Iran started, AIPAC's account thanked many members of Congress who supported or OK'd Trump's attack.

Three of themβ€”Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV)β€”have received $1.2 million from AIPAC PAC so far this cycle.

03.03.2026 04:26 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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Here Is How Much AIPAC Has Funneled to Every Member of Congress Sludge analyzed FEC data to create a searchable list of AIPAC’s donations this cycle to every member of Congress.

Latest: AIPAC has funneled $28 million this cycle to members of Congress as it applauds the Iran military strikes. Many of its top recipients are senators up for re-election in 2026 and battleground district reps.

Here is how much every lawmaker has received:

02.03.2026 13:37 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2
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Here Is How Much AIPAC Has Funneled to Every Member of Congress Sludge analyzed FEC data to create a searchable list of AIPAC’s donations this cycle to every member of Congress.

New data analysis of how much AIPAC has given to the members of Congress who released statements of support for Trump's unauthorized strike on Iranβ€”and every senator and rep:

01.03.2026 21:57 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Three House Demsβ€”Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Greg Landsman, and Jared Moskowitzβ€”were on record as opposing a vote on the War Powers resolution before the strikes on Iran.

The three have received $1.2 million from AIPAC this cycle alone, placing them among the top 10 in their caucus...

01.03.2026 21:57 πŸ‘ 42 πŸ” 18 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 0
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Here Is How Much AIPAC Has Funneled to Every Member of Congress Sludge analyzed FEC data to create a searchable list of AIPAC’s donations this cycle to every member of Congress.

See how much every member of Congress has received from AIPAC donors as the lobbying group applauds the lawmakers who back Trump's strikes on Iran.

From House leadership on both sides of the aisle, to swing-district reps, to senators in 2026 battleground races:

01.03.2026 18:42 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 9 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

AIPAC is flooding the campaign coffers of the House and Senate lawmakers who will vote on an Iran War Powers resolution this week.

Our analysis found that in the House, donations via AIPAC PAC have leaned to Democrats (59%), while in the Senate, they've steered heavily to Republicans (76%)...

01.03.2026 18:42 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1
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Here Is How Much AIPAC Has Funneled to Every Member of Congress Sludge analyzed FEC data to create a searchable list of AIPAC’s donations this cycle to every member of Congress.

See how much every member of Congress has received from AIPAC since the start of 2025, on our new list.

Nearly 80 lawmakers have already received six-figure hauls from the AIPAC lobbying group's PAC, ahead of votes in the House and Senate on War Powers resolutions this week:

01.03.2026 16:14 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) speaking into a microphone. In the 119th Congress, Collins is a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and a senior GOP member of the Select Committee on Intelligence.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) speaking into a microphone. In the 119th Congress, Collins is a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and a senior GOP member of the Select Committee on Intelligence.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), in a re-election battle this year, is one of the top recipients of AIPAC donations this cycle with more than $860,000.

Her statement on Trump's Iran strikes did not call for congressional authorization, instead saying she awaited classified briefings.

01.03.2026 16:14 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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Here Is How Much AIPAC Has Funneled to Every Member of Congress Sludge analyzed FEC data to create a searchable list of AIPAC’s donations this cycle to every member of Congress.

Just out: Here is how much every member of Congress has received from AIPAC as the lobby group applauds Trump's strikes on Iran. Full, searchable list:

01.03.2026 13:48 πŸ‘ 22 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Here Is How Much AIPAC Has Funneled to Every Member of Congress Sludge analyzed FEC data to create a searchable list of AIPAC’s donations this cycle to every member of Congress.

NEW data analysis: Here is how much AIPAC has funneled to every member of Congress

01.03.2026 01:39 πŸ‘ 68 πŸ” 26 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 2
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DCCC Rakes in Millions From Palantir Lobbyists as Protests Target the Company’s ICE Surveillance Tools A new FEC filing reveals the House Democrat campaign arm's latest Palantir lobbying firm fundraising haul.

New statement on Iran strikes from Rep. Jeffries: "The Trump administration must explain itself to the American people and Congress immediately..."

Palantir lobbyists gave $2.9 million to the DCCC in January alone, on top of millions bundled last year.

28.02.2026 14:42 πŸ‘ 43 πŸ” 21 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 2
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AIPAC Donor-Tied Group Drops Six Figures for Foushee A mysterious super PAC, Article One PAC, has spent $600,000 supporting Rep. Valerie Foushee in the NC-04 Democratic primary against challenger Nida Allam.

Latest: Article One, a pop-up super PAC that has spent $600,000 for Rep. Valerie Foushee in the Democratic primary against challenger County Commissioner Nida Allam, is tied to a reclusive billionaire AIPAC donor, according to FEC records.

27.02.2026 13:56 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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AIPAC Donor-Tied Group Drops Six Figures for Foushee A mysterious super PAC, Article One PAC, has spent $600,000 supporting Rep. Valerie Foushee in the NC-04 Democratic primary against challenger Nida Allam.

In 2024, billionaire AIPAC donor Robert Granieri gave $350,000 to the super PAC of 314 Action. The next day, the group received $1 million more from AIPAC's super PAC. It then spent for two AIPAC-aligned House Dem candidates in Oregon.

Now, Granieri is linked to a mysterious super PAC in #NC04:

26.02.2026 20:39 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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AIPAC Donor-Tied Group Drops Six Figures for Foushee A mysterious super PAC, Article One PAC, has spent $600,000 supporting Rep. Valerie Foushee in the NC-04 Democratic primary against challenger Nida Allam.

New: A mysterious super PAC has spent $600,000 supporting Rep. Valerie Foushee in the NC-04 primary against challenger Nida Allam. Foushee said she would decline AIPAC's financial support.

The group, Article One PAC, is tied in FEC records to a billionaire AIPAC donor.

26.02.2026 15:32 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Read the report: readsludge.com/2026/02/25/d...

25.02.2026 18:41 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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NEW:

The DCCC raised $2.9 million from Palantir's lobbying firms last month, per a new FEC disclosure.

25.02.2026 18:41 πŸ‘ 67 πŸ” 35 πŸ’¬ 13 πŸ“Œ 19
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AI Boom on K Street: One in Four Lobbyists Now Work on AI A new Public Citizen report analyzes lobbying disclosures for 2025 and finds that lobbying on AI issues has skyrocketed.

New: More than one in four federal lobbyists are now working on AI issues, according to a new report from @publiccitizen.bsky.social, with AI lobbying soaring since 2022β€”overwhelmingly representing corporate interests.

24.02.2026 15:28 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 3
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Sen. Mark Warner, Palantir Critic, Took $37k From the Company’s CEO Alexander Karp, the CEO of ICE surveillance contractor Palantir, donated in September to Warner's joint fundraising committee, leadership PAC, and the Virginia Democratic Party.

NEW: Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) has repeatedly warned about Palantir's surveillance tech powering ICE. A review of FEC filings show his political committees pocketed $37K from Palantir CEO Alex Karp in September. readsludge.com/2026/02/18/s...

18.02.2026 17:11 πŸ‘ 28 πŸ” 18 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 10
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K Street’s Trump Boom From crypto companies to defense contractors, new lobbying clients steered $145 million to firms led by Trump insiders in the first year of his return to power.

The lobbying firms of top Trump fundraisers saw a boom in clients last year seeking access to the new administration. The firms of Brian Ballard, Jeff Miller, and Reince Priebus signed new clients in private equity, AI, and gambling apps.

14.02.2026 20:15 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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K Street’s Trump Boom From crypto companies to defense contractors, new lobbying clients steered $145 million to firms led by Trump insiders in the first year of his return to power.

New analysis: Lobbying firms led by Trump's fundraisers and former aides signed hundreds of influence-seekers after the 2024 election, raking in $145 million from new clients in 2025.

13.02.2026 20:38 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Trump EPA Threatens Decades of Climate Progress Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced plans to reconsider a ruling from the agency that underpins many of the federal government’s major climate change regula...

The Trump administration repealed the endangerment finding that underpins climate regulation, setting up legal battles.

The fossil fuel industry lobby attempted to sue the EPA over the rule in 2010, and more recently Project 2025 called for its repeal. Report from May:

13.02.2026 00:16 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Hartford looks to end parking contract with ICE The Hartford Parking Authority and ICE have contracted for parking since 2015.

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam has requested the immediate termination of a contract between the Hartford Parking Authority and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

(h/t to @sludge.bsky.social @davidrussellmoore.bsky.social who had this first)

www.ctpublic.org/news/2026-02...

12.02.2026 14:46 πŸ‘ 29 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 3