Elizabeth Warren: Wall Street Should Disclose Its Think Tank Contributions [View all]

[kpete]

Elizabeth Warren:

Wall Street Should Disclose Its Think Tank Contributions

Wall Street banks have the right to express their views to lawmakers and regulators through lobbying, but the law is clear: If they want to influence lawmakers, they must disclose their lobbying expenditures. Yet these same institutions can make huge contributions to think tanks with an eye toward influencing the same lawmakers and keep the whole transaction secret. This is wrong.

If the big banks expect to buy influence when they give money to favored think tanks, then the public has a right to know. If the big banks don't expect to buy influence and are merely making charitable contributions, then their shareholders have a right to know. Either way, there's no excuse for keeping these payments secret.

MORE:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elizabeth-warren/wall-street-should-disclo_b_5069515.html?utm_hp_ref=politics