Democratic leaders in each chamber have teamed up today to introduce a legislative package designed to nullify the Supreme Court’s recent decision empowering
Jul 31, 2020117.4K Shares2M Views
Democratic leaders in each chamber have teamed up today to introduce a legislative package designed to nullify the Supreme Court’s recent decisionempowering corporations to spend uncapped sums to influence federal elections. Calling the High Court’s ruling a “radical decision” that could “drown out the voices of American citizens,” Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) called on Congress to consider the bill quickly. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is the upper-chamber sponsor.
The highlights:
Ban on expenditures from foreign interests.
Ban on expenditures from Federal contractors.
Ban on expenditures from TARP recipients.
Disclosure to the public through enhanced reporting through the FEC and LDA.
Disclosure to shareholders directly and through the SEC.
Stand By Your Ad (CEO and donor disclosure).
Lowest Unit Rate (air time for candidates and party committees).
Coordination Rules (tightened between outside groups and candidates).
Not that this has much chance to get anywhere anytime soon — especially considering the way Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) embraced the Citizens Uniteddecision. But it’s probably also more realistic for Congress to address the issue this way, rather than going the much tougher Constitutional-amendment route.