OpenSecrets.org Newsletter: West Coast Comes East as Tech Influence Grows

Your weekly newsletter on money in politics.

West Coast, East Coast: Silicon Valley Blurs the Distinction With Washington Presence Silicon Valley has staked its claim in Washington. From Capitol Hill to the White House, tech money is everywhere — and 2016 looks like it will be the industry’s biggest year yet. Tech may not be pushing as much cash into politics as Wall Street, but its influence is on an upward climb. Its lobbying has grown by more than $100 million since 1998 to meet the demands of an ever-expanding list of interests. Similarly, over 25 years, contributions from the industry have grown by almost 2,000 percent. ... read more. Share Tweet Forward to Friend

Jeb Bush Caps Donations at $1 Million. Umm… Jeb Bush has reportedly asked potential donors to cap their contributions to the super PAC set up to support his 2016 presidential candidacy at $1 million — a request first reported in the Washington Post that has raised eyebrows around the campaign finance world. It’s an extraordinary request, and not just because it involves a candidate turning down money in the hyper-competitive fundraising world post-Citizens United. It’s extraordinary because the world ...read more. More Members of Congress Hold Student Loan Debt Members of Congress are, on average, far wealthier than the typical American, but an increasing number of them have a now typical American financial obligation: student loan debt. Forty-seven members of Congress had a cumulative total of between $1.8 million and $4.6 million in student loan debt in 2013, according to their personal financial disclosure statements. That includes loans for themselves, their spouses or their children ... read more. AIPAC Posts Biggest Lobbying Year in 2014 as Netanyahu Goes to Congress Dozens of Democrats boycotted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. The rift is emblematic of the tension between the White House and hard-line supporters of Israel on how to deal with Iran’s nuclear aspirations. The Obama Administration has urged patience as it attempts to finish negotiations with the Iranians, while Netanyahu is expected to warn ... read more.