Democrats Are Having A Big Year In Lobbyist-Bundled Donations

The Senate Democrats’ campaign arm reports getting $5.3 million in lobbyist-bundled donations so far this year, more than double its previous record.

by Donald Shaw, Sludge

The campaign arm of the Senate Democrats today reported raising more than $5.3 million in the first half of the year through bundled donations from lobbyists and lobbying firm PACs. That amount is more than twice as much as it has ever disclosed receiving in lobbyist-bundled donations over any other six-month period.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), which supports the election of Senate Democrats through TV ads and other things, received bundled donations in the first six months of 2023 from 19 registered lobbyists and a handful of PACs, according to a filing with the Federal Election Commission. Under federal law, lobbyist-bundlers must be reported if they forward checks worth—or are credited with raising—$21,800 or more in a year.

Senate Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) calls to subpoena Barr and Sessions on June 13, 2021 in New York City.

The DSCC’s largest lobbyist-bundler this year has been Linda Lipsen, the CEO of trial lawyers advocacy group the American Association for Justice. Lipsen is a registered lobbyist for the organization, and in the first half of the year she has lobbied U.S. Senate and House offices on dozens of issues including multiple bills that would prohibit forced arbitration clauses,“General lobbying with regard to vaccine injury,” and “Draft legislation on SLAPP claims.” Lipsen bundled more than $1.1 million for the DSCC over the first six months of the year.