Netflix wants to wield more influence in election season

Netflix filed a statement of organization with the federal government to form a political action committee, or a PAC, which will allow the company to raise and spend money on campaigns and causes in Washington (DC).

The web service registered its newly-founded committee as "Flixpac." According to the Center for Responsive Politics, "A PAC can give $5,000 to a candidate per election (primary, general or special) and up to $15,000 annually to a national political party. PACs may receive up to $5,000 each from individuals, other PACs, and party committees per year." Microsoft is an example of a tech company with heavy influence in the capitol, spending $1.3 million in contributions last year. Behind the scenes, Netflix has employed lobbyists since the mid-2000's, although it has only employed full-time lobbyists since the end of 2010. The recent years have seen an exponential growth in Netflix's cash flow to Congress, however. In 2009 the company spent $20,000 in lobby money, which grew to $130,000 in 2010, and by 2011 the company reported spending half a million dollars lobbying Congress.