The "moonies" refer to members of the religious movement called the Unification Church, founded by Reverend Sun Myung Moon in the 1950s. Their connection to the US Senate can be traced back to the 1970s when Moon and his followers began lobbying and making political contributions to various politicians, including members of the Senate.
The extent of the "moonies" influence in the US Senate is debated and varies depending on the source. Some experts argue that their influence has declined in recent years, while others believe they still hold significant sway through their lobbying efforts and financial contributions to political campaigns.
The "moonies" have been known to advocate for conservative and religious causes such as opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion, as well as support for increased religious freedoms and peace initiatives.
There have been several US Senators who have been affiliated with the "moonies" in some capacity over the years. Some have received campaign contributions from the group, while others have attended events hosted by the Unification Church or have been involved in their peace initiatives.
There have been allegations of illegal or unethical activities involving the "moonies" and the US Senate, including accusations of bribery and influence peddling. However, no concrete evidence has been found to support these claims.