GOP House Reaps Millions from Big Business

Somebody's really excited about the new Republican House: special-interest groups with deep pockets. Not only did they bankroll the party's election wins in November, but now banks, health-insurance companies, and other major business interests have showered new GOP leaders will millions in contributions to show their support for the party's attempts to repeal health-care laws and new environmental and financial regulations. Most of the money has flowed to the Republican chairmen of the banking and energy committees and others who will play a crucial role in setting policy for the next two years. The new majority whip, Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, has seen his corporate donations increase 40 percent since 2008. Special interests often spend big bucks on the party in power, but their dramatic skew toward the GOP underscores how deeply business interests oppose Obama administration and Democratic policies.