Industry money doesn't just talk in Congress, it talks--and with even greater impact--at the state level, in those races where a few thousand bucks can make a significant difference in a campaign for an office, like, say, attorney general. With that in mind, Think Progress's Wonk Room did a little digging, and found out who's buttering the bread of those attorneys general who are pushing a constitutional challenge to the reform bill.
The effort may prove a strong political recruitment tool for conservative activists, but the legal reasoning has little support beyond the right edge of the Republican party — and the health care industry. Several weeks ago, the New York Times reported that "The states where the [constitutional] amendment has been introduced are also places where the health care industry has spent heavily on political contributions." The industry has also contributed heavily to the campaigns of at least 7 of the 13 attorneys general threatening to sue the federal government over the Nebraska provision. (Campaign finance data was not readily accessible for the other 6 attorneys general.)
An analysis conducted by the Wonk Room of available campaign finance disclosures for AGs from South Carolina, Washington, Michigan, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah and Idaho reveals that the health industry contributed heavily to their campaigns:
South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster ~ $15,000....
Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna ~ $24,645....
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox ~ $12,600....
North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem ~ $20,700....
Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett ~ $24,300....
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff ~ $9,500....
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden ~ $10,100