Sludge produces investigative journalism on lobbying and money in politics. We look beyond public records and disclosures to reveal the hidden networks and conflicts of interest that drive systemic corruption.
Sludge reports on the ways industries launder their agendas through independent groups, the power maps of corporate networks that extend deep into government, how concentrated economic powers dictate public policy, and more. We scour traditional lobbying disclosures and campaign contributions, but our primary focus is all the ways that money influences politics that don’t fit established patterns and often don’t have to be disclosed.
- Coal Tax Break in Senate Bill May Benefit Jim Justice
- Trump Flip-Flopped on U.S. Steel Deal After Lobbying Blitz by His Top Bundlers
- Chamber of Commerce Fights to Keep Wall Street Bonus Culture Alive
- Walmart, Nike, and Starbucks Say They’re Green, But Fund the Fight Against Climate Laws
- Fossil Fuel Lobbyist Joins Thune-Linked ‘Dark Money’ Group’s Board
- Members of Congress Bought Defense Stocks, Then Watched Them Rise as the Bombs Dropped
- GOP Flip-Floppers Back Trump’s Unauthorized Iran Attacks
- AIPAC-Funded Dem Leaders Duck War Powers Resolution on Trump and Iran
- ‘Unprecedented’ Tax Credit in GOP Megabill Would Fuel School Privatization
- Companies Back GOP Bill Slashing Food Aid While Touting Hunger Relief
- Cuomo Exploits Loophole to Raise Big Money From Restricted Donors
- Sanders and King Unveil First-Ever Bill to Ban All Prescription Drug Ads
- Tech Insider Helberg Poised to Shape U.S. Foreign Policy While Retaining Tech Portfolio
- Corporate-Funded ‘Blue Dog’ Dems Plan New Super PAC and Dark Money Group
- SEC Filing Ties Trump’s Bitcoin Investments to Deregulation Efforts
