They regulate the most powerful companies on Earth — while cashing checks from their PACs, executives, and employees.
As Congress debates antitrust enforcement and tech regulation (and a possible shutdown looms — with Kalshi putting it at 42%), a handful of U.S. Senators quietly stack donations from Big Tech’s biggest players.
From Senate leadership to Appropriations gatekeepers, here are 10 slides that show who’s really bankrolling the lawmakers in charge of tech oversight.
Chuck Schumer — The Tech Industry’s Favorite Insider
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has quietly become one of Big Tech’s biggest beneficiaries. He pulled in over $780,000 from the sector in the 2024 cycle alone, including large donations from Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and their top execs.
While no longer controlling the Senate floor, Schumer still wields immense influence as Minority Leader and party boss — especially when it comes to campaign funding and committee deals.
Patty Murray — The Quiet Chair with the Biggest Checks
As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Patty Murray (D-WA) holds the pen on funding — and she’s deep in tech’s pocket. She’s received more than $1 million over her career from tech firms and employees, especially those headquartered in her home state, like Amazon and Microsoft.
Susan Collins — Republican Appropriator, Tech Shareholder
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee and has taken over $44,000 from tech sources since 2019. Her husband also owns up to $550,000 in Big Tech stocks, including Google and Microsoft. Watchdog groups have flagged the conflict.
Mark Warner — The Intelligence Insider with Deep Tech Ties
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has been a vocal critic of TikTok — but don’t miss the receipts. He’s received hundreds of thousands from tech firms while shaping surveillance and cybersecurity policy that directly affects them.
Maria Cantwell — Chair of the Commerce Committee, Paid in Full
Sen. Cantwell (D-WA), who leads the Senate Commerce Committee, has received significant contributions from tech giants based in her home state. She plays a lead role in shaping tech policy, broadband access, and media regulation — all while Silicon Valley helps fund her campaigns.
Alex Padilla — Newcomer, Familiar Donors
Though relatively new to the Senate, Alex Padilla (D-CA) has already attracted six-figure contributions from the tech sector. His California base and growing role in Judiciary and Homeland Security make him one to watch — especially as the next generation of Big Tech allies emerges.
Big Tech’s Spending Spree — $61.5 Million and Counting
In 2024 alone, tech companies spent $61.5 million on lobbying. Meta led the pack with $24.4 million, followed by ByteDance ($10.4 million) and Alphabet. That lobbying coincided with record campaign donations — and slashed DOJ antitrust funding.
2025 lobbying numbers are expected to be just as high.
Antitrust Hypocrisy — Funders Defunding the Watchdogs
Senators receiving Big Tech money were among those who cut DOJ antitrust enforcement funding. That includes Schumer and Murray. Translation: they took money from the companies under investigation, then voted to gut the budget for the people investigating them.
Senate Republicans now hold the majority, but note that Democrats like Schumer and Murray were responsible for the 2024 budget cuts to antitrust enforcement — while receiving money from the same companies under DOJ scrutiny.
‘Pledge-Free’ Senators Are Nearly Extinct
A push to get lawmakers to refuse large tech donations — like those from Alphabet, Amazon, or Meta — has largely failed. Just a handful of senators have capped tech-related contributions at $200. The rest? They’re feeding from the same trough they claim to regulate.
The Real Conflict of Interest Isn’t Hidden — It’s Routine
Leadership may have changed hands in the Senate, but Big Tech didn’t lose a seat at the table. They still fund both sides — and the revolving door is wide open.
