Sludge

Sludge focuses on investigative reporting related to lobbying and financial influences in politics. We delve deeper than just public records and reports to uncover the concealed connections and conflicts of interest that contribute to ongoing corruption in the system.

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Members of Congress Bought Defense Stocks, Then Watched Them Rise as the Bombs Dropped

4 days ago | readsludge.com | David Moore

💥Share this on Bluesky and XOperation Midnight Hammer, the Trump administration’s unauthorized military strike against nuclear sites in Iran, involved hundreds of U.S. aircraft made by Northrop Grumman and others, more than a dozen Boeing-made “massive ordnance penetrator” bombs, RTX-manufactured Tomahawk missiles fired from a General Dynamics submarine, and Boeing-made aerial refueling tankers.
GOP Flip-Floppers Back Trump’s Unauthorized Iran Attacks

5 days ago | readsludge.com | Donald Shaw

💡Share this on X and Bluesky!In early 2024, several Republican members of Congress criticized President Biden’s airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen as unconstitutional, citing Article I of the Constitution, which gives Congress the sole authority to declare war. They endorsed Rep. Ro Khanna’s (D-Calif.) demand that Biden seek congressional approval before initiating military action, with Sen.
AIPAC-Funded Dem Leaders Duck War Powers Resolution on Trump and Iran

1 week ago | readsludge.com | David Moore

💡Share this on Bluesky and Democratic congressional leaders, in their responses to President Trump’s saber-rattling over Iran, are echoing Israeli leaders’ claims that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons, even though U.S. intelligence continues to hold that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and no evidence to the contrary has been presented.
‘Unprecedented’ Tax Credit in GOP Megabill Would Fuel School Privatization

1 week ago | readsludge.com | Donald Shaw

💡Share this on X and Bluesky!You’re likely aware of some of the big-ticket tax benefits for wealthy individuals and companies in the GOP’s budget reconciliation bill now moving through Congress, but buried in it is another tax provision that’s raising some alarms: the bill would create an unprecedented new tax shelter that could let billionaires save millions in taxes through donations to private school voucher funds, all paid for by the public.
Companies Back GOP Bill Slashing Food Aid While Touting Hunger Relief

1 week ago | readsludge.com | David Moore

👀Share this post on Bluesky and XLarge companies like Comcast, Delta, and Verizon that publicize their charitable hunger relief efforts are cheering on the Republican “megabill” that would slash the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by roughly 30%, taking away food assistance for millions of families and worsening hunger.
Cuomo Exploits Loophole to Raise Big Money From Restricted Donors

1 week ago | readsludge.com | Donald Shaw

💰Share this on Bluesky and X!Despite New York City’s strict contribution limits for people who have business before the city, Andrew Cuomo’s campaign for mayor has used several such restricted donors to bundle large amounts of cash for his campaign, a Sludge review of state records finds.
Sanders and King Unveil First-Ever Bill to Ban All Prescription Drug Ads

2 weeks ago | readsludge.com | Donald Shaw

💊Share this on X and Bluesky!In a historic challenge to Big Pharma, independent Sens. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Angus King (Maine) have introduced the first-ever federal bill to permanently ban all direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertising. The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act, introduced today, would prohibit ads for prescription drugs and biologics across all platforms, from TV to YouTube. The bill aligns with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.
Tech Insider Helberg Poised to Shape U.S. Foreign Policy While Retaining Tech Portfolio

2 weeks ago | readsludge.com | Donald Shaw

💡Share this on X and Bluesky!Jacob Helberg, a Trump megadonor and senior advisor to Palantir CEO Alex Karp, is set to shape U.S. economic and tech diplomacy, even as he and his husband, venture capitalist Keith Rabois, plan to retain their stakes in a large portfolio of companies that stand to benefit from Helberg’s work.
Corporate-Funded ‘Blue Dog’ Dems Plan New Super PAC and Dark Money Group

2 weeks ago | readsludge.com | David Moore

🐕Share this on X and Bluesky!The Blue Dog Coalition, a caucus of centrist House Democrats who have repeatedly blocked their party’s major legislation, will form a new super PAC to accept donations of unlimited size, as well as a new nonprofit group that will not be required to disclose its funders. The coalition’s plans were first reported by the New York Times in an article last week about their appearance at a centrist event, dubbed WelcomeFest.
SEC Filing Ties Trump’s Bitcoin Investments to Deregulation Efforts

2 weeks ago | readsludge.com | Donald Shaw

💡Share this on X and Bluesky!A recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing by Trump Media & Technology Group, announcing a $2.5 billion Bitcoin deal, makes plain the glaring conflict of interest between President Trump’s financial investments and his advocacy for crypto deregulation. In a June 5 filing, the company said it considers the possibility of Bitcoin being classified as a security to be a significant risk for its operations.