In the News
Huffington Post: Ron Wyden, Lisa Murkowski Unveil Bipartisan Campaign Finance Bill
By Paul Blumenthal“When liberals talk about ‘transparency’, that isn’t what they mean,” Cleta Mitchell, chairwoman of the American Conservative Union Foundation, said in a statement. “What they really want and what this bill provides is a target list of conservatives who have the temerity to contribute their after tax dollars to support candidates and issues the left hates.”“The bill would not be bipartisan in any serious sense of the term,” Brad Smith, president of the Center for Competitive Politics and a former Federal Election Commission (FEC) chairman, said in a statement. “Like far too many proposals and laws to regulate political speech, it would be a partisan bill aimed at discouraging voices that one side sees as hostile to their interests, and that Senator Murkowski is angry at for opposing her in her defeat in a Republican primary.”
Washington Examiner: Think Tank Takes: Citizens United amendments threaten free speech
By CCP Academic Advisor John SamplesThe old and new public purposes cited for restricting political spending and speech are not persuasive in general and do not justify the breadth of power granted under these amendments. Americans should defend — not amend away — the freedom of speech recognized by the First Amendment.
NPR: Bill Would Expand Disclosure Of Political Money
By Peter OverbyInitial reactions showed what Wyden and Murkowski are up against.The conservative Center for Competitive Politics says disclosure would violate the First Amendment rights of donors to the tax-exempt groups. And at the liberal group Public Citizen, lobbyist Craig Holman praised the senators for tackling the disclosure issues, but he said they’re making a legal mistake by dropping the bright-line standard for defining election activity.
CCP
Statement on the Dangers of the Wyden-Murkowski Bill
By Sarah Lee“If the bill looks anything like what was outlined last December, it would strip Americans of vital privacy and associational rights and aims to discourage political speech through onerous regulation. 100% of all spending urging voters to elect or defeat a candidate is already disclosed, but because less than five percent of that doesn’t contain as much personal information on donors as a few incumbent senators would like, the measure tramples over First Amendment rights in order to dig out more personal information on American citizens’ political activities, for reporting to the government.“A measure like this would be contrary to the plain language of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Buckley v. Valeo limiting such compulsory disclosure of organizations that do not qualify as political committees, and would likely be challenged in court should it become law.
Independent Groups
Roll Call: Ex-Rep. Bob Edgar Dies at 69
By Emily Cahn“We are deeply saddened and shaken today by the passing of Bob Edgar,” Common Cause Board Chairman Robert Reich said in a release announcing Edgar’s death. “Bob will be remembered for his decency, kindness, compassion and humor. His deep commitment to social justice and strengthening our democracy is his greatest gift to Common Cause and the nation.”
Washington Examiner: Obama campaign plans major push for Gang of Eight immigration bill
By Byron York“OFA supporters across the country are doing what they do best — organizing to get the word out about this reform bill,” Ruiz continued. “We’re hosting a major Day of Action the first week of May, and we want your help in getting people to be a part of it.”
Disclosure
Broadcasting & Cable: New Campaign Finance Reform Bill Introduced
By John EggertonSenators Ron Wyden (R-Ore.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have introduced a campaign finance reform bill that could take a bite out of media buys by boosting disclosures and thus potentially discouraging buyers. …The article continues: “The legislation introduced in the Senate today will hinder advocacy of public policy and have a chilling effect on free speech,” said National Association of Manufacturers president Jay Timmons in a statement. “This complicated regulatory disclosure system will not be a tool for transparency, and would actually discourage political participation.”
Lobbying and Ethics
The Hill: Rangel sues Boehner seeking to overturn House Ethics censure
By Mike LillisRep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) is suing Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and six other lawmakers, charging the ethics investigation that led to his public censure in late 2010 was mishandled.In a complaint filed Monday in federal court in Washington D.C., Rangel claims the Ethics Committee that investigated his alleged wrongdoing is guilty of “numerous flagrant, knowing and intentional violations” of his due process rights.
Pioneer Press: Michele Bachmann former aide says she OK’d pay to Iowa senator
By Megan BoldtAndy Parrish filed the affidavit and supporting emails Monday, April 22, confirming allegations made by ex-Bachmann aide Peter Waldron.Waldron, who was Bachmann’s national field coordinator from July 2011 to January 2012, has said the campaign paid Iowa state Sen. Kent Sorenson, R-Milo, $7,500 a month for six months to serve as her campaign chief in that state.
State and Local
Illinois –– Chicago Tribune: Emanuel: Developers’ donations don’t influence his decisions
By John Chase and Jeff CoenMayor Rahm Emanuel today defended accepting tens of thousands of dollars in political donations from hotel developers who need the approval of his administration for their projects.
Montana –– Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Dark-money bill progress reflects legislative corruption
By Laura LundquistThis weekend, Bullock returned House Bill 217 to the Legislature with his proposed amendments to prevent the creation of another vehicle he believes dark-money groups could exploit.HB 217, sponsored by Rep. David Howard, R-Park City, would exempt religious organizations from having to report campaign contributions or expenditures related to ballot issues.
