LEVER WEEKLY: Behold The Shadow Network

This is Lever Weekly, a recap of our work from the past week. If you only read one email from us all week, this should be it.

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Here’s what The Lever published this week:

LEVER DEEP DIVE OF THE WEEK

The New Democratic Machine — And The Billionaires Behind It. Majority Democrats has assembled a “party within the party” of PACs, wealthy donors, and consultants pushing Democrats to the center — and testing the limits of campaign finance law.

LEVER SCOOPS OF THE WEEK

Inside the Democratic Civil War Over Billionaire Power. The clash between populists and party elites is no longer quiet — it’s an all-out fight over money and power.

This Rule Could Slash Drug Prices — If Democrats Run On It. Lawmakers say they want lower drug prices — but a simple fix has been sitting on the shelf for years, blocked by pharmaceutical lobbying.

Top Democrat Opposed Surveillance Bill — While Whipping Votes For It. Emails reveal Democratic Rep. Jim Himes privately urged colleagues to back Trump’s expanded spy powers — while he publicly opposed them.

How A Tax Loophole Drained Schools And Enriched A Trump Megadonor. Billionaire GOP donor Jeffrey Yass scored millions in private-school tax credits while he bankrolled the lawmakers who expanded them.

Mills Out, Platner Ascendant: What Maine’s Political Shocker Means For You. The surprise shake-up between Graham Platner and Janet Mills is a turning point in the fight over the Democratic Party’s future.

Bad DOGE: Musk’s Minions Improperly Accessed Your Personal Payments. The Treasury Department failed to fully protect Americans’ personal data from the prying eyes of Department of Government Efficiency employees, according to a new watchdog report.

Trump Doubles Back On Credit Card Swipe Fees. After decrying the “out of control Swipe Fee ripoff,” the president has blocked states from addressing the problem.

Roundup Maker Begs SCOTUS To Block Cancer Suits. With the blessing of the Trump administration, Bayer will ask the Supreme Court to block lawsuits connecting its weedkiller to sickness and death.

THIS WEEK ON LEVER PODCASTS

The Untouched Power That Could Stop The Iran War. Congress has a secret weapon to stop Trump’s unpopular war in Iran — but lawmakers have never used it before. Their excuse? An obscure immigration case from 1983.

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Every week, our paid subscribers receive a newsletter full of policy wins, environmental victories, and social initiatives improving their lives. 

A taste of this week’s good news:

• Marijuana scores a milestone
• A youth hockey racket hits thin ice
• Journalists take to the skies
• New Mexico breaks up with ICE
• Immigrants win right to sanctuary

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Become A Lever Leader Today LEVER IN THE NEWS

The Majority Report with Sam Seder — Lever reporter Luke Goldstein appeared on the news program to discuss our exposé of the new Majority Democrats shadow network.

• Semafor and The Sunday Long Read also highlighted our reporting on the “party within the party” pushing Democrats to the center and testing the limits of campaign finance law.

Current Affairs — Filmmaker Adam McKay called out The Lever as an outlet that’s blazing a new trail amid what’s left of the old information system.

The Sunday Long Read — The compendium of the best longform journalism recognized our feature on the man whom Exxon tried to drill.

Mother Jones — The magazine referenced our story on Democrats playing coy about whether they supported Trump’s expanded spy powers.

The American Prospect — The outlet cited our reporting on Democratic candidate Ryan Crosswell’s past work for a union-busting law firm.

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