![\"Who](\"http:\/\/www.masters-in-accounting.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/CongressInfluence.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPolitics is big business, with millions spent each year trying to sway the electoral process. Which industries, businesses and outside interests have donated the most to which candidates?<\/p>\n
How Much Money Are We Talking About?<\/p>\n
In short, lots. Here\u2019s a look at what candidates in 2013-2014 have raised for this election cycle: Senate<\/strong> Where does all this cash come from? Here\u2019s a look at which industries have given the most to which parties: Here\u2019s a look at the 20 businesses and organizations that contributed the most for lobbying efforts in 2013: Here\u2019s a look at some of the Congressional candidates who\u2019ve raised the most money:<\/p>\n House<\/strong> Top contributing industries (donations to campaign committee, 2013-2014)<\/em> Frank Pallone, D-N.J.<\/strong> Senate<\/strong> Top contributing industries (donations to campaign committee, 2009-2014)<\/em> Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.<\/strong> Top contributing industries (donations to campaign committee, 2009-2014)<\/em> With more than $400 million spent in this election cycle on Congressional races, is this a wise investment? Maybe not, when you consider the lack of action lately in Congress. <\/p>\n
\nHouse<\/strong>
\nTotal $289,091,174*
\nDemocrats $125,189,570
\nRepublicans $163,856,570<\/p>\n
\nTotal $152,410,147*
\nDemocrats $81,976,934
\nRepublicans $70,387,430
\n* Independents not included in party breakdowns
\nTheir combined fundraising is $441,501,321. That\u2019s enough to \u2026
\n\u2026 pay the average heating bills of every resident of the District of Columbia
\n\u2026 pay the average co-pays for 22 million doctor visits
\n\u2026 pay the average grocery bill for 400,000 four-person families<\/p>\nFollowing the Money<\/h2>\n
\nIndustry Amount D R
\nRetired $38,883,345 47% 46%
\nSecurities & investment $32,988,928 31% 55%
\nLawyers& law firms $24,522,332 68% 28%
\nReal estate $18,005,439 41% 53%
\nHealth professionals $16,335,505 39% 55%
\nCandidate committees $16,214,155 45% 55%
\nInsurance $11,989,733 38% 62%
\nLeadership PACs $11,491,828 43% 57%
\nOil & gas $9,895,507 12% 86%
\nBusiness services $8,482,996 48% 44%
\nTV\/movies\/music $8,374,264 63% 34%
\nLobbyists $8,016,021 49% 50%
\nPharmaceutical\/health $7,875,015 40% 60%
\nPublic sector unions $7,647,169 52% 5%
\nManufacturing\/distribution $7,298,056 30% 68%
\nBuilding trade unions $6,976,125 57% 11%
\nCommercial banks $6,887,181 30% 70%
\nComputers\/Internet $6,821,386 53% 36%
\nElectric utilities $6,631,879 36% 64%<\/p>\n
\nBusiness\/organization Lobbying total
\nU.S. Chamber of Commerce $51,955,000
\nNational Assn. of Realtors $25,943,435
\nBlue Cross\/Blue Shield $17,076,780
\nAmerican Hospital Assn. $14,106,478
\nComcast Corp. $13,950,000
\nGeneral Electric $13,840,000
\nPharmaceutical Rsrch & Mfrs of America $13,802,500
\nAmerican Medical Assn. $13,775,000
\nNational Cable & Telecommunications Assn. $13,270,000
\nNorthrop Grumman $13,200,000
\nAT&T Inc. $12,300,000
\nBoeing Co. $11,460,000
\nGoogle Inc. $11,460,000
\nLockheed Martin $11,117,466
\nNational Assn. of Broadcasters $10,650,000
\nExxon Mobil $10,630,000
\nVerizon Communications $10,143,000
\nUnited Technologies $9,980,373
\nAmerican Chemistry Council $9,490,000
\nGrocery Manufacturers Assn. $9,350,000<\/p>\nWhere It Goes<\/h2>\n
\nJohn Boehner, R-Ohio<\/strong>
\nTotal: $9,074,336<\/p>\n
\nIndustry Total Individuals PACs
\nRetired $496,367 $496,367 $0
\nSecurities & investment $441,355 $381,355 $60,000
\nOil & gas $249,189 $164,189 $85,000
\nReal estate $200,600 $188,600 $12,000
\nElectric utilities $164,000 $75,500 $88,500<\/p>\n
\nTotal: $3,831,722
\nTop contributing industries (donations to campaign committee, 2013-2014)<\/em>
\nIndustry Total Individuals PACs
\nHealth professionals $249,550 $35,050 $214,500
\nPharmaceuticals & health products $84,000 $6,500 $77,500
\nLawyers & law firms $66,750 $45,250 $21,500
\nLobbyists $42,550 $40,550 $2,000
\nTV\/movies\/music $40,800 $15,450 $25,350<\/p>\n
\nCory Booker, D-N.J.<\/strong>
\nTotal: $12,867,688<\/p>\n
\nIndustry Total Individuals PACs
\nSecurities & investment $1,197,642 $1,197,642 $0
\nLawyers & law firms $1,027,702 $976,207 $51,495
\nReal estate $476,450 $471,450 $5,000
\nTV\/movies\/music $366,780 $359,180 $7,600
\nMiscellaneous finance $260,250 $260,250 $0<\/p>\n
\nTotal: $17,246,609<\/p>\n
\nIndustry Total Individuals PACs
\nSecurities & investment $1,129,038 $883,538 $245,500
\nInsurance $760,525 $311,025 $449,500
\nHealth professionals $649,025 $413,525 $235,500
\nRetired $644,157 $644,157 $0
\nOil & gas $621,258 $367,259 $253,999<\/p>\nWorth the Money?<\/h2>\n
\nSubstantive public laws passed<\/em>
\n2013 44
\n2007 120
\nAverage 1999-2012 70<\/p>\n