House passes campaign finance bill

[Valin]

Politico:

KENNETH P. VOGEL & JOHN BRESNAHAN |
6/24/10

Overcoming opposition from within their own ranks, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Democratic leaders pushed through a controversial campaign finance reform bill on Thursday on a 219 to 206 vote.

The DISCLOSE Act - Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Election - will require corporations, labor unions, trade associations and advocacy groups to publicly declare their role in TV ads or mass mailings during the closing months of a political campaign, including where the money is coming from to pay for such activities. Foreign-controlled corporations and big government contractors would also be barred from paying for such political activities.

But the bill exempts the National Rifle Association, unions and other special interests from all or part of the legislation, which Republicans charged was the product of “backroom deals” and Democrats said was necessary to get the bill passed. Floor debate over the bill was heated, with both sides accusing the other of acting in bad faith and using the fight to advance their own partisan agendas.

(Snip)

[Valin]

WSJ: The NRA's Political Sellout

Why is the gun rights lobby helping Chuck Schumer help unions?

 

The National Rifle Association slipped into a Beltway backroom this week to cut a deal with Democrats on their new campaign-finance legislation. Conservatives are ripping the gun-rights group for selling out free speech, and fair enough. But don't underestimate the political sellout. The NRA has potentially armed unions and Democrats for the midterm elections.

 

To understand the bigger game behind the DISCLOSE Act—which the House may vote on today—look no further than its two authors: New York Sen. Chuck Schumer and Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen. What has brought these two men together in a sudden and fervent (and previously unexpressed) passion to now lead the campaign-finance wars?

 

Mr. Van Hollen currently heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Mr. Schumer, until recently, headed the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and remains a member of his party's leadership. Put another way, Mr. Van Hollen and Mr. Schumer exist to protect incumbents and elect more Democrats.....(Snip)

[Argyle58]

The NRA siding with the unions and the ACLU siding with the Tea Partiers.......isn't this a topsy turvy act.

[Valin]

The NRA siding with the unions and the ACLU siding with the Tea Partiers.......isn't this a topsy turvy act.

 

 

Got it in one!