Politicians often tell voters they’re fighting for the people back home. But campaign finance records can tell a different story: who is helping keep them in office.
Representative Diana DeGette has spent nearly 30 years in Congress. During that time, she has built a powerful fundraising machine supported by industries with billions of dollars at stake in Washington. When the same industries repeatedly write checks election after election, voters have every right to ask: Who is DeGette really working for? Not the people of Colorado!
Here are 5 industries that have been among the biggest financial supporters of Diana DeGette:
1. Big Pharma
Congress determines everything from drug approvals and patent protections to Medicare reimbursement rates, so its no surprise that pharmaceutical companies will spend enormous amounts to “influence” politicians through campaign contributions. As a longtime member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, DeGette has a long history of receiving campaign contributions from some of the same pharmaceutical companies that jack up the prices of medications. Since the 2010 election cycle, DeGette’s campaign committee has received over $500,000 from PACs associated with 30 different pharmaceutical companies. That’s $100,000 more than Chuck Schumer has received from those sources in the same time interval.
While Colorado families struggle with rising prescription costs, Big Pharma continues to enjoy record profits. Voters should ask whether DeGette’s cozy relationship with drug companies is helping solve the problem for Coloradans or making it worse.
2. Health Insurers
Hospitals, insurance companies, health systems, and medical trade groups all have major financial interests before Congress. DeGette has spent DECADES cozying up to Health Insurers like UnitedHealth, Cigna, and Elevance.
Ordinary Americans continue to face skyrocketing premiums, surprise bills, and an increasingly complex health care system. Ordinary Americans fear calling ambulances because the cost is so high, so instead they Uber to the hospital even in an emergency.
When an ordinary citizen calls UnitedHealth, they have to wait to speak to someone that probably can’t help them solve their problem. What do you think happens when DeGette calls UnitedHealth?
3. Telecommunications Giants
Telecommunications companies depend heavily on government decisions because issues like broadband funding, spectrum allocation, internet regulation, and competition policy can mean billions of dollars in profits or losses.
That’s why major telecom companies like Comcast AT&T, and, DISH NETWORK have spent years sponsoring DeGette.
Companies that seek access and influence in Washington know that supporting Degette is often part of the cost of doing business.
4. Energy Interests
Federal regulations, tax credits, environmental rules, and infrastructure spending all directly impact the energy companies and their bottom line.
Colorado’s largest utility, Xcel Energy, has repeatedly contributed to Diana DeGette’s campaigns through its political action committee. Xcel is not alone – other energy-related companies such as Clearway Energy, Cummins, and Honeywell have also supported DeGette’s political campaigns.
Whenever billions of dollars are on the line, campaign contributions tend to follow to DeGette.
5. Lawyers, Lobbyists, and Political Insiders
Big Pharma writes checks. Health insurers write checks. Utilities write checks. But the people who coordinate much of Washington’s influence game are the lawyers and lobbyists who represent those industries. Diana DeGette’s campaign has received support not only from corporations and trade groups, but also from the attorneys, lobbyists, and political insiders whose business depends on influencing Congress. The result is a network of relationships that gives well-connected interests a seat at the table while ordinary voters are often left wondering whether anyone is listening to them.
Follow the Money
Defenders of the current system argue that campaign contributions don’t influence votes. Maybe.
But if contributions don’t matter, why do corporations, trade groups, and special interests spend millions of dollars making them every election cycle?
The truth is simple: powerful organizations don’t invest money without expecting a return.
Colorado voters deserve transparency. They deserve elected officials who answer first to their constituents, not to the industries and special interests that help finance their campaigns.
The next time Diana DeGette talks about fighting for Colorado families, voters should ask a simple question:
Who helped pay for that and what did they get in return?
Paid for by American Priorities. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.