FEC Approves Coordination Rule
Aug 27, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
With a 5-1 vote, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) approved a rule on coordinated communications, to regulate messages that are the "functional equivalent of express advocacy" for or against candidates. This "functional equivalent" language comes from the 2007 Supreme Court decision in Wisconsin Right to Life Inc. v. FEC.
read in fullStatement of Commissioners Highlights Leniency of FEC Disclosure Rules
Aug 20, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
Earlier this week, the three Republican members of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) released a statement of reasons explaining their votes in May to dismiss a case against a no longer active 501(c)(4) group, Freedom's Watch.
read in fullLegislation to Overhaul Public Funding for Presidential Campaigns
Aug 4, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
Legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate (H.R. 6061 and S. 3681) to revise the outdated presidential public campaign financing system. Seeking to encourage smaller individual contributions, the bill would match small contributions of $200 or less with public funds at a 4-to-1 ratio.
read in fullSenate Will Consider DISCLOSE Act Next Week
Jul 23, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced a revised version of the DISCLOSE Act (S. 3628) on July 21, in hopes of gaining some much needed support from moderate Republicans before the upcoming August recess.
read in fullFEC Will Eventually Consider Guidance for Disclosing Independent Expenditures
Jul 16, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) had on the agenda advisory opinion requests from the Club for Growth and Commonsense Ten for its July 15 meeting, but the agency has put them off for now. According to BNA Money and Politics ($$), the FEC has given itself a July 21 deadline to respond to the requests, which could set guidelines for the reporting of independent campaign expenditures.
read in fullConnecticut Campaign Funding System in Peril
Jul 14, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
A very complicated case from Connecticut may have implications for federal campaign finance law. An appeals court upheld restrictions on campaign contributions from government contractors, threw out part of the state's public campaign financing law, and struck down a ban on lobbyist contributions. According to BNA Money and Politics ($$), "the decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S.
read in fullACLU, Lawyers' Committee Intervene in Georgia Voting Rights Act Challenge
Jul 7, 2010 by Lateefah Williams*
On July 6, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of Georgia, and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a motion to intervene in Georgia v. Holder, the state of Georgia's challenge to the Voting Rights Act. Georgia filed suit against the U.S. Department of Justice because it wants the federal government to allow it to verify each voter's citizenship before allowing an individual to vote.
read in fullState Can't Force Nonprofits to Register as Political Committees
Jul 1, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
The New Mexico Independent reports that a federal appeals court upheld a lower-court decision which ruled that forcing two nonprofits to register as political committees was a violation of the groups' free-speech rights.
read in fullWith Changes to DISCLOSE Act, it May Be Considered This Week
Jun 14, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
POLITICOreports that House Democrats have reached an agreement with the National Rifle Association (NRA) on the DISCLOSE Act. "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."
read in fullSpeechNow.org Can Collect Unlimited Contributions, Other Groups Likely Follow
Jun 4, 2010 by Amanda Adams*
On May 27, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia entered a judgment declaring that SpeechNow.org may accept unlimited donations. The judgment also prevents the Federal Election Commission (FEC) from enforcing contribution limits against the group and its prospective donors.
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