Politics

?Breakthrough? on DISCLOSE Act

By Paul Blumenthal

Politico reports that there has been a breakthrough in the deadlock in the House over the DISCLOSE Act, the legislative response to the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.

House Democrats have reached an agreement with the National Rifle Association on campaign-finance legislation that would roll back the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, removing a major obstacle on the bill, according to House sources.

The deal would exempt the NRA and some other large organizations from strict campaign finance disclosures in the bill, which is being pushed by Democratic leaders in the wake of the Supreme Court?s ruling in the Citizens United case. The NRA had objected to some of the disclosure requirements for the new campaign finance proposals, and that had kept moderate, pro-gun Democrats from backing the legislation. The NRA said it would not comment until specific legislative language is revealed.

The deal would exempt non-profit organizations with over one million members, have existed for ten or more years, have members in all 50 states and receive 15 percent or less in contributions from corporations.

Aside from the NRA, I can only think of a few organizations that could fit into this exemption. AARP is one that comes to mind. Citizens Against Government Waste boasts of more than one million members, but I have no idea where they get their money from. If you can think of any other organizations, please leave them in the comments.

We’ll have more on this development soon after fully digesting this latest development.

The Sunlight Foundation’s recommended legislative response to the Citizens United decision can be found here.

Full post as published by Sunlight Foundation on June 14, 2010 (boomark / email).