How grades work

Every dollar given to a member of Congress comes from one of three sources: People, Power and Influence. The grade is the share that comes from People.

• People: Money from many different people
• Power: Big money from a few wealthy donors
• Influence: Money from PACs (including companies' PACs), politicians and parties

What's left out? A member's own money, loans, transfers and refunds. Their own money means they depend on no one, so it neither helps nor hurts the grade. Loans are borrowed and refunds are money coming back, not gifts. Transfers only move money between their own committees, where it's already counted. Each member's receipt still lists them.

The grade

• S: Grassroots, 90% or more of the money from people
• A: Supported, 75% to 89% of the money from people
• B: Backed, 60% to 74% of the money from people
• C: Mixed, 45% to 59% of the money from people
• D: Influenced, 30% to 44% of the money from people
• E: Heavily influenced, 15% to 29% of the money from people
• F: Beholden, under 15% of the money from people

Every figure comes from campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).