5 Powerful Members of Congress Who Benefit Most from Koch Contributions

image
Author: Crowdpac
Published: 24 Nov, 2015
Updated: 18 Oct, 2022
1 min read

The Koch name has become nearly synonymous with GOP 'dark money' and political might. Often portrayed as “bogeyman” by Democrats on the left, these brothers who made their wealth in oil refining have pledged to spend up to $900 million on political advocacy this cycle alone. And since much of that money is funneled through the Koch’s political advocacy nonprofit Americans for Prosperity (which isn't required to report contributions and expenditures), it can be difficult to know just who they are backing.

koch-spending

We can however look at their direct contributions to political campaigns over the years - and that’s exactly what we did.

Interestingly enough, the current and former Speakers of the House place first and fifth in terms of total amount received - Speaker Ryan, has received $84.2 thousand across numerous campaigns compared to Speaker Boehner’s $65 thousand.

Sandwiched in between are a number of key Congressional leaders including Pete Sessions the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules (also known as the “traffic cop of Congress”), Congressman John Culberson who sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee, and Congressman Steve Pearce who sits on the Financial Services Committee.

Latest articles

CA capitol building dome with flags.
Why is CA Senator Mike McGuire Trying to Kill the Legal Cannabis Industry?
California’s legal cannabis industry is under mounting pressure, and in early June, state lawmakers and the governor appeared poised to help. A bill to freeze the state’s cannabis excise tax at 15% sailed through the State Assembly with a unanimous 74-0 vote. The governor’s office backed the plan. And legal cannabis businesses, still struggling to compete with unregulated sellers and mounting operating costs, saw a glimmer of hope....
03 Jul, 2025
-
7 min read
I voted buttons
After First RCV Election, Charlottesville Voters Back the Reform: 'They Get It, They Like It, They Want to Do It Again'
A new survey out of Charlottesville, Virginia, shows overwhelming support for ranked choice voting (RCV) following the city’s first use of the system in its June Democratic primary for City Council. Conducted one week after the election, the results found that nearly 90% of respondents support continued use of RCV....
03 Jul, 2025
-
3 min read
Crowd in Time Square.
NYC Exit Survey: 96% of Voters Understood Their Ranked Choice Ballots
An exit poll conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of the nonprofit better elections group FairVote finds that ranked choice voting (RCV) continues to be supported by a vast majority of voters who find it simple, fair, and easy to use. The findings come in the wake of the city’s third use of RCV in its June 2025 primary elections....
01 Jul, 2025
-
6 min read