What The NY Times Ignored In Report About Special Interest Victories In Budget Bill

Written by Olivia Kittel & Alexandrea Boguhn

Published

The New York Times overlooked the millions of dollars in campaign contributions spent by lobbyists and special interest groups that benefitted from the provisions added to the omnibus spending bill passed by Congress last week.

The New York Times Highlights Special Interest Provisions Folded Into Spending Bill

NY Times: "Long Lineage" Of Special Interest Provisions “Buried In The Giant Spending Bill.” The New York Times reported on the variety of special interest provisions “stuffed into” the spending bill package passed in the Senate and House of representatives last week. The Times reported that the special interest provisions include major victories for lobbyists rolling back government regulations on agriculture, school nutrition, and health care providers. [The New York Times, 12/15/14]

The Times Left Out The Millions In Campaign Spending Behind The Special Interest Provisions

Agribusiness

Agribusiness Spent Over $67 Million In 2014 Midterm Elections. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the combined campaign contributions of the agribusiness sector totaled over $67 million during the 2014 midterm election cycle. Nearly three-quarters of the sector's total campaign contributions went to Republicans, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is among the sector's top contributors.

Party split

[Center for Responsive Politics, OpenSecrets.org, accessed 12/15/14; 12/15/14]

Food And Beverage Industry

Food And Beverage Industries Spent Nearly $15 Million During 2014 Election Cycle. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the total contributions of the food and beverage industries totaled $14,994,446 for the 2014 midterm election cycle. Of the nearly $15 million spent, $9.6 million went to Republicans and $4.5 million was given to Democrats. [Center for Responsive Politics, OpenSecrets.org, accessed 12/15/14]

Health Care Providers

Blue Cross Blue Shield Among Health Sector's Top Contributors In 2014 Campaign Cycle. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the total contributions of the health sector totaled more than $127 million. Blue Cross Blue Shield was among the industry's top contributors, donating $993,224 to federal campaigns. [Center for Responsive Politics, OpenSecrets.org, accessed 12/15/14]