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.
- The Secretive Group Steering the Dems
- The Insurance Industry’s Favorite Rep Delivers Again
- Democrats Have Lost Nine Senate Seats in Close Contests Since 2012
- Manchin Got $400k From Fossil Fuel Industry in the Three Months Before Axing Clean Energy Program
- Members of Congress Own Millions in Facebook Stock While Weighing New Tech Laws
- Ascending Dem Hawk Wants to Pre-Authorize War With China
- Top Democrats Own Stock in AT&T, Funder of Far-Right OAN Network
- Four Waste Coal Provisions Manchin Put in the Infrastructure Bill
- Harrison Nominates New Corporate Lobbyists to Join the DNC
- More and More Medicare Money is Flowing to Private Equity
- Florida GOP Jacks Up Cities’ Campaign Contribution Limits
- While Inquiring on Facebook’s Bottom Line, Hickenlooper is Invested in the Company
- Criticizing Joe Manchin’s Coal Conflicts is ‘Outrageous,’ Says Heitkamp
- Oil and Gas Groups Use Facebook to Fight Climate Measures
- Deficit Fears Have Deep History in Corporate-Funded Democratic Party Groups
