FACT BRIEF

Do both major parties receive plenty of 'dark money' contributions?

Friday, October 16, 2020

By Austin Tannenbaum

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YES

"Dark money" refers to political contributions from groups that don't disclose their original donors. It's made possible by a 1980 campaign-finance loophole that allows donors to remain hidden if they haven't contributed to a particular political ad. Dark money skyrocketed after the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money on independent political ads.

Between 2010 and 2020, Republicans took in $714 million in dark money, vs. $351 million for Democrats. Seven of the top 10 donors support Republicans. Big names include Crossroads GPS (R), Americans for Prosperity (R), and Majority Forward (D). Democrats received more dark money than Republicans in 2018 and are on track to receive more in 2020.

Last year, House Democrats passed a bill that would effectively ban dark money, but the Republican-led Senate blocked it.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Open Secrets: Political nonprofits (dark money)

Brennan Center: Dark Money

Open Secrets: More money, less transparency

US Congress: HR1—'For the People Act' of 2019

The Hill: GOP Senator blocks sweeping election reform bill

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