General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSenate heads for vote on disclosure of hidden donors
When Republicans won control of the House and picked up six Democratic-held seats in the Senate in 2010, they were greatly helped by the money spent by 501c4 tax exempt groups which had been given new freedom to run ads by the Supreme Courts Citizens United decision and by FEC rulings.
According to an analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics and the Center for Public Integrity, 501c4s spent nearly $95 million in the 2010 campaign.
Since donors to 501c4 groups arent required to be identified publicly, this vehicle is ideal for those who prefer to exert quiet and hidden influence. Citizens United did not change the long-standing law that those who give $200 or more to a candidate or party committee must be identified; it also didnt remove the ban on direct contributions to candidates by corporations or labor unions.
On Monday the Senate will revisit the question of forcing disclosure of secret political donors. It will vote on whether to proceed with a new version of the Disclose Act sponsored by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D- R.I.
http://nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/13/12726704-senate-heads-for-vote-on-disclosure-of-hidden-donors?lite
lastlib
(23,659 posts)The first small step toaward undoing the damage of the Citizens United ruling. Passing it can make the repuglickins squirm! (And I like that!!)
spanone
(136,274 posts)panader0
(25,816 posts)BumRushDaShow
(132,043 posts)These people are "quiet" at all. They are LOUD but hidden.
This will go nowhere in the House so we need to get those seats to take it back to get anywhere, although they should try to craft it carefully so it doesn't hit the Supreme Court again and get thrown out. Only issue is that I'm sure that a good number in either chamber will not want to cut off the hand that feeds them. .
ProgressiveEconomist
(5,818 posts)not to vote for more transparency in the form of Whitehouse's Disclose Bill.
See http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/07/13/516229/exclusive-nra-threatens-senators-who-support-campaign-finance-disclosure
With this action and their scoring of the quick-count contempt vote against the Attorney General, it seems to me the NTA has strayed far, far afield from their absurd mission of "protecting Second Amendment rights".