Minnesota's Clout in Washington

Cathy Wurzer and the Morning Edition team are in Washington this week as MPR News gauges Minnesota's influence in the federal government.

TOP STORY

Bachmann & Paulsen: Contrasts in power

Reps. Michele Bachmann and Erik Paulsen are both gaining power and influence in Congress -- but they're doing it in strikingly different ways.

Like most freshman congressmen, Paulsen kept a low profile. Now in his second term, he's been named to the powerful Ways & Means Committee.

Bachmann's profile is anything but low. She's a regular fixture on Fox News, and is now being mentioned as a possible presidential candidate.

Who'll be more powerful in the long run? Read the story »

• Graphic: Seniority of all 535 members of the U.S. House and Senate »

STORY

Sugar's outsized influence in Washington

American Crystal Sugar, the Moorhead-based co-op of about 3,000 sugar beet farmers, doesn't even crack the top 50 largest Minnesota companies.

But when it comes to influence in Washington, Crystal is king.

American Crystal Sugar spent between $1 million and $2 million last year lobbying the federal government. That's about the same level as Cargill—a company almost 100 times its size. Read the story »

• Graphic: Lobbying spending by top Minnesota companies »

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25 influential Minnesotans in D.C.

While many of these names are likely unfamiliar to most people in Minnesota, these 25 people are making an impact in Washington, D.C. Read more »

Minn.'s delegation in Congress

Members of Minnesota's congressional delegation have served an average of 5.7 years in Congress. Forty states' delegations have more seniority on average, and eight states have less. Read more »

CAPITOL VIEW BLOG IN D.C.

Poll: Most voters say 'super committee' will fail
Poll highlights fundamental differences on deficit fix
Nov. 21, 2011

PoliGraph: Simon misses on voting claim
Statement about elderly people without photo ID is based on Wisconsin data
May 18, 2011

Walz bill would close insider trading loophole
Congress isn't subject to the same rules as private business
April 4, 2011

Bachmann and Tea Party pressure House GOP on spending deal
Bachmann applies pressure on spending deal with Democrats.
March 31, 2011

More on the Capitol View blog »

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MORNING EDITION INTERVIEWS

• Rep. Collin Peterson

• Rep. Chip Cravaack

• Former Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn.

• Former Rep. Vin Weber, R-Minn.

• Lobbyist Michael Berman

• Josh Holmes, chief of staff for Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

• Thomas Nides, U.S. deputy Secretary of State

• Lisa Gilbertson Wolski, chief of staff for Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz.