OpenSecrets

Ever wonder what about that $3 checkbox for the Presidential Election Campaign Fund when you file your taxes?

Created in the wake of Watergate to limit corruption, the system has shifted toward irrelevance in the era of massive fundraising and super PACs.

Today, participation has dropped to barely 3%, no major presidential candidates rely on the funds, and Congress recently siphoned off more than $300 million to allocate to the Secret Service, leaving the balance under $30 million.

In a new piece, Joedy McCreary, MSJ breaks down how a landmark campaign finance reform lost its hold and where those tax dollars actually go.

Read full story:

Why the $3 presidential election tax checkbox is now 'irrelevant' - OpenSecrets News Created after Watergate to curb big money in politics, the Presidential Election Campaign Fund has been abandoned by candidates & taxpayers.

📺 When the Emmy Awards were handed out Monday night, "Widow's Bay" took home a record 14 trophies, accounting for half of Apple TV's 28 wins. That was the most for any company, beating out Warner Bros. Discovery's 21 awards.

We were curious how all the winning corporations stack up when it comes to influencing policy in Washington, so we totaled up their lobbying spending for the first half of this year.

We'll fully admit there's no correlation between K Street spending and Emmy wins, but it's still fun to examine the numbers.

Read more: https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2026/09/chart-of-the-week-amazons-lobbying-operation-dwarfs-the-other-emmy-winners-k-street-spending/

A House race in rural California has become one of the most competitive and expensive in the country, and it's being shaped largely by its candidates' opposing stances toward corporate money.

The battle for California's 22nd district is one of 21 House contests rated a "toss-up" by the Cook Political Report. It's drawing national attention not only because it could help determine control of the House, but because it will test California's redrawn maps and the viability of progressive candidates in swing districts.

After defeating an establishment-backed, moderate opponent in the primary, Democratic nominee Randy Villegas has made pro-worker, anti-corporation messaging a cornerstone of his campaign. The community college professor has vowed not to take corporate PAC money, a departure from previous Democratic candidates in the district and a stark contrast to Republican incumbent Rep. David Valadao.

Full story:

Corporate PAC cash divides candidates in California’s 22nd district - OpenSecrets News The tight contest to represent California's 22nd district is being defined largely by the candidates’ opposing stances toward corporate cash.

Today marks the International Day of Democracy, a moment to reflect on what sustains healthy democratic institutions, informed citizens, fair elections, and systems people can trust.

September 15 also brings National Voter Registration Day, another reminder of how participation and access shape a functioning democracy.

At OpenSecrets, we believe transparency is a foundational piece of that system. Visit our website to see our work tracking money in politics and supporting a more transparent democracy: https://www.opensecrets.org/.

During one week in early September, Sen. Susan Collins, one of her joint fundraising committees (JFC) and a super PAC backing her campaign each purchased airtime on a Portland TV station during Wheel of Fortune. Collins' campaign and her JFC each paid $2,200 for a 30-second spot, while the super PAC paid $10,000, more than four times as much.

A Sept. 4 Supreme Court order may change that dynamic going forward. It temporarily reinstated an FCC interpretation allowing political parties and joint fundraising committees to access the same low ad rates previously reserved for candidates. Because a separate FEC decision also allows JFCs to include super PACs, watchdogs say the ruling opens a path for outside groups to indirectly buy airtime at candidate prices, undermining the purpose of federal ad protections.

Read more:

A Supreme Court order could upend the price of political ads on TV - OpenSecrets News During one week in early September, Sen. Susan Collins (R‑Maine), one of her joint fundraising committees and a super PAC…

Want to know who is funding your politicians before you vote? 🗳️💰

OpenSecrets tracks every dollar, from lobbying to super PACs to individual megadonors, so you can see who holds real influence in Washington.

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Timed with the start of college football season, the Senate is planning a vote between Sept. 15 and Sept. 26 on the Protect College Sports Act, a sweeping bill that would set federal guardrails for the new pay-for-play college sports economy. 🏈🎓

The measure has already triggered a surge of lobbying from broadcasters, athlete-advocacy groups, universities and athletic conferences. More than 90 organizations referenced the bill or its House counterpart by name in lobbying disclosures through June 30.

We break down the spending around the bill:

Protect College Sports Act: Inside the $31M lobbying battle - OpenSecrets News As college football returns, a $31M lobbying battle over the Protect College Sports Act hits DC. Inside the high-stakes fight for athlete pay.