Decoder with Nilay Patel

The rise of shadow lobbying and its influence on decades of US policy

18 snips
Jun 27, 2024
Brody Mullins, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and co-author of "The Wolves of K Street," dives into the evolution of lobbying since the 1970s. He reveals how corporate influence and shadow lobbying tactics transformed American politics, exposing the shift from transparent practices to opaque power plays. The discussion also highlights the rise of dark money and its impact on legislative representation, as well as the implications of grassroots movements contrasting with traditional lobbying in the tech sector. History intertwines with current dynamics, especially under Donald Trump's era.
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ANECDOTE

Evan Morris Case

  • The book opens with the story of Evan Morris, a pharmaceutical lobbyist who died in 2015.
  • Investigating his death reveals the shift in lobbying from regulated disclosure to shadow lobbying.
INSIGHT

Corporate Lobbying Dominance

  • Companies outspend other lobbying groups, diminishing the power of labor unions and consumer advocates.
  • This imbalance creates an environment where corporate interests dominate policy decisions.
INSIGHT

Shadow Lobbying Tactics

  • Shadow lobbying involves funding groups with generic names to influence policy indirectly.
  • These groups avoid disclosure requirements by not directly contacting members of Congress.
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