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Vol. I, No. 1Washington, D.C.Wednesday, October 21, 2026Free

Swamp Watch / Explainers

The basics

Explainers

Short guides to the laws and filings behind our receipts, with links to the official sources.

The Old Senate Chamber in the United States Capitol. Photograph: Architect of the Capitol, public domain. Halftone by Swamp Watch.

What is a super PAC?ExplainerSuper PACs can raise and spend unlimited money to influence elections. This guide covers how they work and what they have to disclose.
What is dark money?ExplainerDark money is political spending by groups that do not have to reveal where their money comes from.
How to read an FEC filingExplainerEvery federal candidate and PAC reports its money to the Federal Election Commission. This guide covers where to find the reports and what the forms mean.
What is a no-bid contract?ExplainerFederal agencies are supposed to let companies compete for contracts. A no-bid contract skips that step.
What is a conflict-of-interest waiver?ExplainerFederal law bars officials from working on matters that affect their own finances, unless they get a waiver.
What is a presidential pardon?ExplainerThe Constitution gives the president broad power to forgive federal crimes. Here is what that power covers and what it does not.
How financial disclosures workExplainerSenior federal officials must report their assets, income, and trades. Here is what the reports show and where to find them.