Why Don’t We Call Corporate Handouts “Corruption”?
The Biden White House purports to be worried about corruption — just not the kind now dominating American politics, in which every new policy includes gigantic giveaways to corporations.
239 Articles by: Andrew Perez
Andrew Perez is senior editor and a reporter at the Lever covering money and influence.
How Big-Business Lobbyists Are Protecting the Corporate Court
Big business loves the Supreme Court just how it is: on the side of big business. That’s why corporate lobbyists want to stop any possible Supreme Court reforms the Biden administration might consider.
Big Pharma’s Favorite Democrats Saved the Drug Industry Half a Trillion Dollars
Corporate Democrats like Senator Kyrsten Sinema saved Big Pharma $450 billion by watering down the party’s drug pricing plan.
Lies, Damn Lies, and CBO Statistics
The Republican-led Congressional Budget Office is using gimmicks and fuzzy math to “prove” that the richest country on Earth can’t afford a decent welfare state.
A Pharma Front Group Has Spent $1.2 Million Backing Kyrsten Sinema
A front group funded by Big Pharma is running more ads praising Kyrsten Sinema — perhaps in gratitude for her role in gutting Democrats’ drug pricing plan.
It Pays to Be a Conservative Democrat Blocking Popular Legislation
Why do conservative Democrats like Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin oppose wildly popular progressive policy measures? Because it’s a very lucrative racket.
Unchecked Corporate Power Is at the Root of America’s Democracy Crisis
America’s real democracy crisis is this: corporations use a system of legalized bribery to buy public policy, which prevents popular progressive policies from passing and erodes Americans’ faith in their government.
The Reconciliation Bill’s Gutting Is What Happens When Your Party Is Addicted to Corporate Money
The almost complete destruction of Democrats’ agenda in the reconciliation bill suggests that, despite some rhetoric to the contrary, the party is still intent on fulfilling Joe Biden’s promise to donors that “nothing would fundamentally change.”
Democrats Doing Big Pharma’s Bidding Are Being Rewarded
House Democrats say they aren’t sabotaging their party’s drug pricing plan. But their recent donation hauls from Big Pharma suggest otherwise.
The Progressive Pieces of the Budget Reconciliation Bill Are Quickly Disappearing
Democratic leaders are moving to gut the parts of the budget reconciliation bill that would aid workers and fight climate change. House progressives like Pramila Jayapal shouldn’t vote for an empty husk of a bill.
Kyrsten Sinema Didn’t Always Oppose Taxing the Rich
When Donald Trump was in office, Kyrsten Sinema opposed his “huge tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations.” But Democrats are now weighing taxing the rich — and Sinema is suddenly opposed.
Why Corporations Love DC’s Daily “Tip Sheets” Emails
Companies are using Washington’s tip sheet industry as a key weapon in their corporate media crusade against climate, health care, and anti-poverty legislation.
Joe Manchin Isn’t Against Entitlements — as Long as They’re for Rich People Like Him
For the poor and working class, Joe Manchin demands work requirements for child tax credits. Yet for the rich, he’s happy to support — and personally benefit from — work-free income.
Kyrsten Sinema Is Doing Big Pharma’s Bidding
Kyrsten Sinema could block Democrats’ drug pricing negotiation plan — which may be why pharmaceutical interests are donating big money to her.
Rahm Emanuel Is Back, Thanks to Some Corporate-Funded Rehabilitation Efforts
Rahm Emanuel ended his two terms as Chicago mayor in complete disgrace. Lucky for him, Washington welcomed him back into the fold with open arms — after business interests quietly funneled him millions to push their agenda.
The Corporate Health Care Industry Just Detailed Some of Its Biggest Scams
A letter from the hospital lobby to the Biden administration details private insurances’ abusive practices that pass health care costs on to Americans — often in the form of surprise bills.
How Big Pharma Flipped Kyrsten Sinema
Big Pharma needed a senator to do their dirty work to kill or gut Democrats’ drug pricing plan. They found someone willing and able in Kyrsten Sinema.
Congress Can’t Let Opioid Billionaires Get Legal Immunity
Legislation to hold the Purdue Pharma Sackler family accountable is stalled as the Chamber of Commerce begins lobbying on the bill. Congress can’t let the criminals that fueled the opioid crisis get away with murder.
Kyrsten Sinema: “Senators Need to Hear From Their Constituents”
We have audio of Kyrsten Sinema telling lobbyists how important it is to hear from constituents “early and often” months before she started ducking Arizonans’ questions.
Joe Manchin: Bailouts for Me, But Not for Thee
Joe Manchin is threatening to kill the reconciliation bill for promoting an “entitlement mentality,” almost exactly 13 years after he pushed for a Wall Street bailout. It would be nice if bankers ever had to show a little “personal responsibility.”