U.S. Watchdogs: A French Perspective

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Le Palais Bourbon, seat of the French National Assembly, the lower legislative chamber of the French government.

French daily Le Monde ran a piece examining the U.S. practice of watchdogging the role of money in the political process, which is lacking in France. "In France, the situation is quite different. The financial relationships between politicians and corporations are difficult to analyze ... there exists a total absence of regulation." Journalist Cécile Grégoriades cites Money and Politics, OpenSecrets.org, Follow the Money, and CMD's own Congresspedia project. She describes Congresspedia very favorably: "Notably, it presents very precise figures on members of Congress ... The site also abounds with information on lobbyist firms." CMD Associate Director Judith Siers-Poisson is quoted as saying, "It's essential for a voter to have the most information possible about a candidate that they are prepared to vote for. If my representative, for example, had contacts with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, or is suspected of corruption, I have a right to know that as a voter."