Democrats Try to Rebuild Campaign-Spending Barriers
Law & Politics
Congressional Democrats outlined legislation Thursday aimed at undoing a recent Supreme Court decision that allows corporations and interest groups to spend freely on political advertising.
To accomplish that goal, the legislation would impose a patchwork of spending restrictions and disclosure requirements — many based in current laws.
The measure would greatly expand the scope of an existing ban on political commercials paid for by foreign corporations, ban political commercials paid for by government contractors or recipients of bailout money, and force corporations and unions to make public details of what they spend directly or through advocacy groups.
The legislation’s sponsors, Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York and Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, said they wanted the measure enacted in time to limit the impact of the court’s decision in the case, Citizens United vs. the Federal Election Commission, before the fall campaigns. “Otherwise the court will have predetermined the winner of the midterm elections,” Mr. Schumer said. “It won’t be the Republicans or the Democrats. It will be corporate America.”
Many of the proposals, like restrictions on foreign companies or government contractors, have populist appeal, but passage would require the vote of at least one Republican senator. Five current Republican senators — led at the time by Senator John McCain of Arizona — voted for the spending rules that the court chipped away, but not one has yet embraced the Democrats’ proposals.
The sponsors said they had developed the legislation to comply with the court’s opinion in Citizens United.
Related listings
-
Schwarzenegger Files Appeal in Furlough Case
Law & Politics 01/14/2010The Schwarzenegger administration filed an appeal Wednesday in a lawsuit over his furloughs of state workers, contesting a decision by the controller to restore pay for prison guards.Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered some 200,000 state em...
-
Giuliani not running for NY Senate or governor
Law & Politics 12/29/2009Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani says he's not running for governor or for U.S. Senate.Giuliani tells WABC-TV Tuesday that he's decided to turn his attention to his law firm and consulting business rather than commit to another high-profile r...
-
Obama administration seeks to kill Gitmo lawsuit
Law & Politics 12/07/2009A federal appeals court has temporarily A 2008 Supreme Court ruling giving Guantanamo Bay prisoners the right to challenge their indefinite detention does not apply in the case of two detainees who committed suicide, the Obama administration sa...
Victorville CA DUI defense Attorneys
The outcome of a DUI defense will have a long-term effect on anyone’s life, making the decision to receive legal representation an easy one. The fact is, most people accused of a DUI are first offenders with no criminal background. Whether this is your first run in with the law or you have had previous convictions, you are in need of a DUI defense attorney.
The charges you are facing for a DUI range from fines, a 12-month suspension on your license and worst-case scenario, prison time. Your attorney will be able to analyze your situation to decide the best way to go about your case.
Our attorneys know the tricky ways to challenge all of the DUI tests and know how to claim improper collection of evidence. We will be able to negotiate on your behalf and free you from charges and help you keep your drivers license. The DUI process can last up to several months, we can make this process easier on you. .