Van Hollen sues FEC over Disclosure Rule
U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has sued the Federal Election Commission to make public the names of big money political donors who now may remain anonymous. Van Hollen said he is aiming to close a loophole by reversing an FEC regulation requiring companies and groups to name only those donors who give at least $1,000 specifically to pay for political activities. The lawmaker says this guts disclosure requirements Congress enacted in 2002 as part of the McCain-Feingold law.
Disclosure via Executive Order
President Barack Obama has drafted an executive order that would require companies vying for government contracts to disclose information about contributions they make to groups that run political ads. This is part of a trend of federal agencies trying to increase transparency in campaign finance.
More Citizens United fallout
Corporations can openly tell employees how to vote. Here’s another sign of how the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission has changed the political landscape: Corporations can openly urge their employees to vote for certain candidates. Koch Industries, led by conservative brothers David and Charles Koch, already has done this; The Nation got hold of an election packet the company distributed to employees in Washington state listing Koch-backed candidates.
Corporate political spending is on shareholders’ minds
During this annual meeting season, political spending is getting more attention from shareholders. Seventy-eight shareholder proposals focus on political spending or lobbying, up from 48 proposals during the first six months of 2010. The reason more people are focused on it? The Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling.
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NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!
Michael H. Drucker
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