Politics - Ethics - Disclosure - JOURNALISM REPORTING RESEARCH GUIDE - Research Guides at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Tracking Political Contributions

Campaign Finance FEC See how candidates and committees raise and spend money in federal elections. This financial data helps voters make informed decisions
Federal Election Commission In 1975, Congress created the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) - the statute that governs the financing of federal elections. The duties of the FEC, which is an independent regulatory agency, are to disclose campaign finance information, to enforce the provisions of the law such as the limits and prohibitions on contributions, and to oversee the public funding of Presidential elections.
Follow the Money (National Institute on Money in State Politics) is a good resource for tracking money in state pollitics.
Open Secrets is a campaign spending "Watch Dog"

Ethics and Disclosure

Hawaii State Ethics Commission contains information on state campaign finance disclosure as well as lobbyist reporting.
Legistorm one-stop research shop for everything congressional
USOGE Disclosure The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) is responsible for implementing the public and confidential financial disclosure systems for the executive branch. The purpose of both financial disclosure systems is to prevent conflicts of interest and to identify potential conflicts by providing for a systematic review of the financial interests of both current and prospective employees. Employees report their financial interests on forms issued by OGE. The confidential financial disclosure report is the OGE Form 450, and the public financial disclosure report is the OGE Form 278.
US Senate Public Disclosure The Senate Office of Public Records (OPR) receives, processes, and maintains for public inspection records, reports, and other documents filed with the Secretary of the Senate involving the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), the Ethics in Government Act, the Mutual Security Act, and the Senate Code of Official Conduct. As provided by various Senate rules, OPR also handles public financial disclosure, reimbursed travel reports, registration of mass mailings, political fund designations, and supervisors' reports on individuals performing Senate services. The office reviews the filings of and provides guidance to registrants under the LDA.
US State Dept - Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) FARA requires certain agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities or other activities specified under the statute to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those activities.