The hottest Lobbying Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Why the Deep State Loves Tariffs

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 579 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tariffs Bureaucracy Lobbying Inflation Administrative state
  1. Tariffs raise prices for consumers, going against the goal of reducing inflation. It's a way for bureaucrats and lobbyists to benefit at the expense of everyday people.
  2. The system of tariffs is controlled by complex bureaucracies that aren't transparent. This means that the true impact and manipulation of tariffs can be hidden from public view.
  3. If someone wants to reduce the power of the government and its administration, getting rid of tariffs would be a good starting point.

From CIA station chief to AI chatbots to Trump-adjacent lobbying

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 529 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Lobbying Intelligence Technology Foreign Policy National Security
  1. Enrique de la Torre, a former CIA station chief, has now joined a lobbying firm with ties to the Trump administration. This shows a trend of government officials moving to private sector roles.
  2. De la Torre criticized the CIA's new AI system for profiling world leaders, calling it inadequate compared to his ideas. This highlights ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of technology in government work.
  3. His views on U.S. foreign policy, especially in Latin America, suggest he will push for strong stances against countries like Cuba and Venezuela in his new role. This aligns with certain hawkish perspectives in U.S. politics.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce: From Fighting Obamacare to Defending Big Pharma

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 559 implied HN points • 20 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare policy Lobbying Legislation Insurance Industry
  1. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a history of opposing health care reforms like Obamacare, fighting to protect the insurance industry's profits. Their actions have often prioritized big business over the needs of everyday people.
  2. Recently, the Chamber has also opposed Medicare's efforts to negotiate lower drug prices. They claim it will harm the pharmaceutical industry, but many seniors could benefit from cheaper medications.
  3. Overall, the Chamber does not represent small businesses or local interests as much as it represents large corporations. Their lobbying efforts highlight how some businesses prioritize profit over the well-being of the public.

Congress Must Pass KOSA By Christmas. The Only Obstacle Seems to be Meta’s Influence

After Babel • 1221 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Social media Child safety Lobbying Free speech
  1. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) aims to protect children online by introducing stronger privacy settings and reducing harmful features on social media platforms.
  2. There is significant concern over the current impact of social media on kids, including issues like sextortion and mental health problems, which KOSA seeks to address.
  3. The bill has strong bipartisan support in Congress, but its progress is hindered by lobbying from major social media companies that fear regulation.
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The anti-climate lobby is winning

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Lobbying Climate Policy Corporate Influence Environmental advocacy
  1. Anti-climate lobbying is heavily funded, with US companies spending more on opposing climate efforts than supporting them. This shows a strong influence from these companies on political decisions.
  2. On average, each US firm spends $277,000 on anti-climate lobbying, which is 50% more than the $185,000 spent on pro-climate lobbying. This spending difference highlights a significant imbalance in support for climate action.
  3. A few companies are leading the anti-climate efforts, outspending and outnumbering those in favor of pro-climate policies. This concentration of lobbying power makes it harder for the pro-climate side to compete.

We need more than Westminster reporters to understand government

Odds and Ends of History • 1072 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Media Reporting Lobbying Policy
  1. Relying only on political reporters can lead to misunderstandings of complex topics. We need experts in various fields to report accurately.
  2. Specialist journalists can provide important context that general political reporters might miss. This can help clarify complicated subjects for the public.
  3. The issue isn't about political bias, but rather the dominance of lobby reporters in news coverage. This can result in incomplete or unclear stories about significant issues.

“UK Files” Exclusive, Part 2: The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) Told the IRS It Was A Charity. Documents Say Otherwise

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 3820 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Disinformation Political speech Media Lobbying
  1. The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) incorrectly claimed charity status with the IRS, raising questions about their truthfulness.
  2. The CCDH is known for pressuring companies to restrict certain content and promoting its own political agenda in the media space.
  3. The CCDH's ties to major-party politics and regulatory mix-ups suggest a complex background and operational strategy.

The Israel Lobby's Awesome Power

John’s Substack • 7 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Lobbying Foreign Policy Middle East Political Influence
  1. The Israel lobby has a significant impact on US policy in the Middle East, often prioritizing Israeli interests over American ones.
  2. President Trump's plans for Gaza have been criticized as morally wrong and potentially harmful.
  3. The Trump administration is also making bold moves to settle conflicts in Ukraine and reduce US involvement in Europe.

How the nursing home lobby uses it's political prowess to kill would-be regulations and line the industry's pockets

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 619 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare policy Lobbying Regulation Campaign Finance
  1. The nursing home lobby uses its influence to protect its profits and avoid regulations. This means that they can get away with poor care for residents.
  2. There is a strong connection between nursing home companies and politicians, with money flowing back and forth. This cozy relationship can lead to decisions that favor the industry over the needs of elderly residents.
  3. Many countries do a better job of caring for seniors than the U.S. does. There's a call for the U.S. to change how we think about and treat older adults, emphasizing their needs and quality of care.

On covid, California's supreme court just said the quiet part out loud

¡Do Not Panic! • 1061 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health Legal system Lobbying Responsibility
  1. California's Supreme Court ruled in a case that employers now have legal protection from COVID liability.
  2. The ruling shows how capitalism takes priority over public health in cases of workplace infections.
  3. Employers are not held responsible for COVID infections at work, shifting the burden onto individuals.

Could October 7 Bring Down the Squad?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 964 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Congress Lobbying Polls Democrats
  1. Democratic Rep. Summer Lee faced backlash from Pittsburgh's Jewish community for her actions and comments regarding Israel and Hamas.
  2. The Squad members, including Summer Lee, are facing serious primary challenges from well-funded opponents due to their stance on Israel and their support of movements like Ceasefire Now.
  3. The Democratic Party is experiencing internal conflict over attitudes towards Israel, with more moderate Democrats and the pro-Israel lobby opposing the harsh criticism of the Jewish state by some left-wing members of the party.

Israel & the Threat to Free Speech

John’s Substack • 8 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Israel Lobbying Middle East Trump administration
  1. The Israel lobby can silence voices that criticize Israel in the US. This limits open discussion about important issues.
  2. The relationship between the US and Israel is complicated and affects the situation in the Middle East.
  3. Concerns about free speech are rising as more people feel pressured to avoid discussing Israel's policies.

Peter Thiel is a Vampire

The Corbett Report • 37 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Political Power Political Influence Billionaires Lobbying
  1. Peter Thiel is heavily involved in the tech and military sectors, linking his companies like PayPal and Palantir with governments and intelligence agencies. This raises questions about his true motivations and influence.
  2. He is a regular participant in exclusive meetings like the Bilderberg Group. Being part of the steering committee shows he has a significant role in shaping global discussions among powerful figures.
  3. Thiel claims to be a libertarian, but his actions suggest otherwise. His support for authoritarian practices and interest in life-extending technologies indicates a different set of priorities.

A Profit-Seeking Government?

In My Tribe • 425 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Democracy Corruption Political parties Lobbying
  1. Government can be categorized into Limited-Access (L) and Open-Access (O) Orders based on who is allowed to form significant organizations.
  2. In Limited-Access Orders (L), the ruling coalition can extract resources and form organizations, while in Open-Access Orders (O), citizens have the right to form political parties and corporations independently.
  3. Profit-seeking government tends to align with one-party government and can lead to corruption and favoritism, making a competitive, open-access order preferable.

Seattle, We Have a Problem

The Cholent • 98 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Legal Lobbying Activism Media
  1. BLM at School in Seattle has embraced anti-Israel ideology, causing concern among parents.
  2. King County Bar Association published an article equating pro-Palestinian stance with terrorism, sparking controversy.
  3. Real Change newspaper rejected a Jewish Rabbi's column about anti-Semitism, showcasing a trend of lack of openness in progressive spaces.

Dear governments - stop listening to whining utilities

Jérôme à Paris • 437 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
💼 Business Utilities Government Renewable Energy Regulations Lobbying
  1. Utilities lobbying for special favors can be seen as tactics to pressure governments for more favorable terms.
  2. Increased costs in the wind industry are real and partly a result of business decisions not to hedge against risks.
  3. Government regulations like the CfD are effective tools for encouraging low-cost capital investment in projects and should not be changed based on short-term pressures.

The Pure Folly of Claiming Weight Loss Is An Anti-Weight Stigma Measure

Weight and Healthcare • 239 implied HN points • 29 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Stigma Fat Activism Diet Industry Health Risks Lobbying
  1. Promoting weight loss as an anti-weight stigma measure is harmful and misguided.
  2. The weight loss industry often tries to frame weight loss as a solution to weight stigma, but it is not a genuine anti-stigma action.
  3. Misinformation sponsored by the weight loss industry can lead to misunderstanding about fighting against weight stigma.

Powerful Forces Are Eroding Ownership

Fight to Repair • 78 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🕹 Technology Ownership Digitization Lobbying Copyright Law Enforcement
  1. Powerful forces are challenging the traditional concept of ownership, making people 'buy' and 'rent' simultaneously, like throttled iPhones and gated features on cars.
  2. Digitization, with software and Internet connectivity, has enhanced products but also limits consumer control, leading to issues like prohibitive repair costs and locked features.
  3. The erosion of ownership rights extends beyond repair laws, touching on political influence, outdated copyright laws, and enforcement challenges, highlighting the need for broader reforms.

Opinion: Killing Right to Repair Bills is Money Well Spent For Corporations

Fight to Repair • 118 implied HN points • 14 Nov 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Lobbying Corporate Influence Public Opinion
  1. Follow the money: Corporations spend heavily on lobbying and campaign donations to prevent right to repair bills from impacting their profits.
  2. Anti-repair lobbying impact: Companies like Apple invest in lobbying efforts to circumvent potential losses from repair laws, highlighting the power of money in shaping legislation.
  3. Persistence pays off: Despite corporate lobbying, the right to repair movement has achieved victories in some states, showcasing the importance of popular support and legislative perseverance.

Offshore wind and big company lobbying

Jérôme à Paris • 121 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy Lobbying Climate change Government
  1. Big offshore wind projects often require government support or changes in regulations to be built
  2. Companies involved in offshore wind projects may try to renegotiate after making commitments, leveraging their political weight
  3. Offshore wind projects have high visibility, symbolic value, and political weight, making them a common target for lobbying and political maneuvering

A sneak peek at Chinese fast fashion giant Shein's DC lobbying efforts

Wenhao’s news blog • 58 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Lobbying Congress Criticism
  1. Shein has hired powerful lobbying firms and influential individuals to lobby Congress amid criticism of its practices.
  2. The company faces scrutiny over labor and business practices, especially regarding allegations of forced labor in China's Xinjiang region.
  3. Shein's lobbying efforts show the company's proactive approach to navigating challenges and protecting its interests in the US market.

NY Governor Signs Slimmed Down Right To Repair Act

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 29 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Governor Lobbying Advocacy
  1. New York Governor signed a comprehensive Digital Fair Repair Act, covering a wide range of personal electronics, marking a significant victory for right to repair advocates.
  2. The passage of the Digital Fair Repair Act in New York highlighted the enduring power of manufacturers and big tech in influencing legislation, showcasing the need for continued advocacy and push for expansion.
  3. Despite facing lobbying pressure from big tech companies, the passage of the modified repair law in New York sets a precedent for other states to introduce similar legislation to promote repairability and consumer rights.

Wonk Time: Increase the MRA in the House?

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Legislation Lobbying Political Reform Government funding
  1. Congress members have a budget called the Member's Representational Allowance (MRA) to pay for staff, travel, and office expenses. This budget is determined by distance from Washington, cost of living, and the number of voters in their district.
  2. Currently, each member has about $1.4 million to $1.5 million for these expenses, which is significantly less than the $20 million suggested for better staffing. Many representatives are hesitant to increase their budgets due to political pressures from voters.
  3. Increasing staff budgets could help Congress function better, but it's hard to achieve because voters generally don't support higher spending for their representatives or their staff. Any change would likely need to be subtle and carefully managed.

Does Canada's "Integrity Regime" actually work?

Michelle Rempel Garner • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Contracts Ethics Lobbying Scandals
  1. Canada's Integrity Regime is meant to prevent companies with unethical behavior from receiving government contracts.
  2. Recent events show that there are concerns about the effectiveness of the Integrity Regime in practice.
  3. A strong Integrity Regime is important to prevent political interference, promote good corporate behavior, and ensure ethical standards for contractors.

DC statehood and political self-interest: Where are the flag makers?

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 22 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Federalism Lobbying
  1. DC statehood could mean a lot of flags need to be replaced, which has a big impact on flag manufacturers. If DC becomes a state, every flag in the country would have to change.
  2. Most people decide political issues based on self-interest, especially economic factors. This means statehood movements often don’t get support since many don’t see clear benefits for themselves.
  3. Flag manufacturers could actually have a powerful reason to push for statehood. They might want to lobby for states to be added regularly, turning it into a profitable business opportunity.

Colorado Lawmakers Sing A Familiar Tune in Opposing Right to Repair: Google’s

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 18 May 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Lobbying Lawmakers
  1. Right to repair legislation has faced opposition from industries like electronics, home appliances, medical devices, and telecommunications, leading to many bills being defeated or put on hold.
  2. Disabled Coloradans faced challenges due to restrictions on wheelchair repair, highlighting the importance of the right to repair for ensuring timely repairs of medical equipment.
  3. Lobbyists for large technology firms influenced Colorado lawmakers, shaping their viewpoints with arguments like ownership interpretation, interstate commerce concerns, and warranty implications.

Capitol South, Station Domination, and Lobbying Effectiveness

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Lobbying Protests Advertising Political Influence Policy
  1. Capitol South is a very popular place for protests and lobbying because it's close to important government buildings. Lots of staff and tourists pass through there, making it a prime spot to get attention.
  2. Protesters and lobbyists often believe their efforts at Capitol South are effective. They try to get their messages directly in front of decision-makers rather than relying on media coverage.
  3. Advertising costs at Capitol South are significantly higher compared to other metro stations. This shows that advertisers think they can reach influential people there, highlighting the importance of the location for political messaging.