After Much Delay, the DISCLOSE Act is Introduced
Apr 29, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
In front of the Supreme Court, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced the introduction of legislation meant to diminish the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The much anticipated bill is titled as expected, the DISCLOSE Act, which stands for Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections. Four Democrats signed on as co-sponsors, including Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Al Franken (D-MN).
read in fullMore Citizens are Using the Internet to Engage with Government
Apr 28, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project released a new report which found that most Internet users have visited a government website to get information or complete a transaction during the last year. The findings are based on a survey of 2,258 adults 18 or older. According to the report, about a quarter of adults have posted their own comments online about government issues, participated in an online town hall meeting or joined a group that tries to influence policies.
read in fullSupreme Court Denies Review in Challenge to FEC Rules
Apr 28, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
The Supreme Court sent back to a lower court a case originating from the 2008 presidential election, challenging Federal Election Commission (FEC) disclosure rules. A 527 organization, the Real Truth About Obama (RTAO), wanted to sponsor ads covering President Obama's record on abortion and other issues. After the group lost their appeal of a federal district court decision, RTAO requested the Supreme Court to review the case.
read in fullMemo Released on Citizens United Bill
Apr 23, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
After much hullabaloo, more details have been revealed about Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Chris Van Hollen's (D-MD) legislative response to counter the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. Even though it has not been formally introduced, a memo has been disclosed outlining the bill.
read in fullPublic Citizen Works to End the Revolving Door
Apr 23, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
Public Citizen has asked 47 retiring lawmakers to sign a pledge not to take a lobbying job upon leaving Congress. The pledge states, "Upon leaving Congress, I will not accept employment or a leadership position for two years with any business that lobbies, issues lobby communications or has hired lobbyists to lobby my office, committee or staff during my last term."
read in fullGold Mouse Awards Reveal the Best Congressional Websites
Apr 22, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) announced the Gold Mouse Awards for the 111th Congress. 620 websites were evaluated, including all Members, committees, and leadership sites, to determine the best congressional websites. 131 offices were selected for a Gold, Silver or Bronze Mouse Award.
read in fullFEC Announces Rulemaking Schedule to Address Court Rulings
Apr 20, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) released a proposed rulemaking schedule to write new campaign finance regulations in response to multiple recent court decisions. The most predominant cases are the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC and the U.S. Court of Appeals ruling in EMILY's List v. FEC.
read in fullPreparations for Citizens United Response Continues in Light of Court Vacancy
Apr 13, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
Many are predicting that because of the Citizens United decision, the issue of campaign finance may become a hot topic during the confirmation of the Supreme Court nominee to replace Justice John Paul Stevens. President Obama has made some public statements indicating that he would like a nominee who also disapproves of the case. Stevens authored the 90 page dissent in that case.
read in fullNew Tools to Help Advocates with Campaign Finance Data
Apr 9, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
A new site, TransparencyData.com, is acclaimed as "a central source for all federal and state campaign contributions made in the last twenty years." The Sunlight Foundation teamed up with the National Institute on Money in State Politics and the Center for Responsive Politics, and by merging data from these groups, produced a new development in the availability of campaign finance data.
read in fullShould Cell Phone Companies Have Control Over Nonprofits' Messaging?
Apr 9, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
Over two years ago, we reported that Verizon Wireless prohibited the content in a text message campaign from Naral Pro-Choice America because they claimed, "it had the right to block 'controversial or unsavory' text messages." The issue of whether or not wireless phone companies can restrict what nonprofits say in a text message to its members has come up again. An opinion article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy discusses these issues, written by Vincent Stehle a philanthropic consultant.
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