As Congress prepares a new multi-year, multibillion dollar transportation bill, we explored the intersection of money and politics and recent transportation funding decisions.

Many of the largest corporations in our country hide profits made in the United States in offshore shell companies and sham headquarters in order to avoid paying billions in federal taxes. The result is massive losses in revenue for the U.S. Treasury - which ultimately must be made up by taxpayers.

Some argue that last year’s scandals, which led to the conviction of two congressmen and several top aides, are evidence that ethics enforcement in Congress works. The actual facts leading up to the convictions, however, are more an indictment of the current process than a testament to its success.

Now in its twelfth year, the annual Congressional Scorecard has been one of the many citizenship tools used by U.S. PIRG and the state PIRGs to preserve the environment, protect consumers, and revitalize participation in our democratic process.