Instructions
Choose a senator and two representatives from the same state, and investigate the interest groups and individuals that contribute to these members.
Go online to the Center for Responsive Politics website (opensecrets.org/), click on “Politicians and Elections,” and search for the members that you chose. Examine the “Top 5 Contributors,” “Top 5 Industries,” and “Total Raised vs. Average Raised” for all three of the members of Congress.
Write a report on the following questions: How do the contributions for the different members compare? How do the industries and demographics of the state or district explain the similarities and differences in the members’ top contributors? How do their responsibilities in Washington (most notably their committee assignments, party-leadership positions, party, and ideology) help to explain the sources of their campaign funds?