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Dollar Politics Millions of dollars are pouring into Capitol Hill this summer, as lobbyists jockey to have their clients' interests represented in three major pieces of legislation beginning to take shape: massive bills on health care, banking regulation and energy. NPR's "Dollar Politics" examines this intersection between money and politics and what it could mean for public policy.
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Dollar Politics

Tracking The Overhaul

Who's Representing The Uninsured On Capitol Hill?

Of the 100 congressional districts with the highest uninsured rates, 53 are represented either by Republicans — who are fighting Obama's attempt to overhaul health care — or by Blue Dogs — conservative Democrats who have slowed down and diluted overhaul proposals.

Who's Representing The Uninsured On Capitol Hill?

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Drug Firms Pour $40 Million Into Health Care Debate

During three critical months in the debate to overhaul health care, a powerful drugmaker consortium known as PhRMA and its members spent more than $3 million each week lobbying Congress. In the past, PhRMA has won most of its lobbying battles.

Drug Firms Pour $40 Million Into Health Care Debate

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Tracking The Overhaul

Who Has Access To Max Baucus?

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has the clout to determine winners and losers in the health-care debate. Several former staffers are now industry lobbyists with a unique brand of access to the man at the debate's center. In Washington, access is money.

Who Has Access To Max Baucus?

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Tracking The Overhaul

Millions Spent On Ad War Over Health Care Overhaul

With battle lines drawn over overhauling health care, industry and advocacy groups have begun pouring millions of dollars into TV ads. The air wars mimic the fight 15 years ago when Clinton was in office, while spending on the ads looks a lot like the 2008 presidential campaign.

Millions Spent On Ad War Over Health Care Overhaul

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Tracking The Overhaul

Outside The Beltway, Anger At Business As Usual

The swarm of lobbyists on Capitol Hill is the norm to beltway insiders. But when we posted a picture on NPR.org of the mass of lobbyists in the audience of a Senate session on health care, many visitors to our site responded with shock and anger.

Outside The Beltway, Anger At Business As Usual

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Need For Campaign Cash Opens Door For Lobbyists

Lawmakers juggle the work of crafting legislation with their other big job — raising money to get re-elected. And that money often comes from the industries that will gain or lose from that legislation. Is it just the way the system works, or is it bribery?

Need For Campaign Cash Opens Door For Lobbyists

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Lobbyists Jockey For Position In Health Care Debate

As Congress this month began its legislative work to overhaul health care, the hearing room was packed with lobbyists. Billions of dollars are at stake, and interest groups are pouring millions into Capitol Hill to make sure their concerns are represented.

Lobbyists Jockey For Position In Health Care Debate

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Tracking The Money In The Health Care Debate

As Congress prepares to overhaul the nation's health care system, anyone with a financial stake in the outcome wants to be in on the action. NPR's Dollar Politics series is tracking the lobbying money in the debate, and the interests at stake.

Tracking The Money In The Health Care Debate

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