DISCLOSE Act Delay

Last week, just before the House Rules Committee was set to consider the DISCLOSE Act (H.R. 5175), the meeting was cancelled. Now, many are rushing to explain why this happened and what it means for the bill's future. Democratic staff said the delay was because of the need to consider more urgent issues. The Rules committee received 37 amendments. Reportedly, they now hope to consider the bill after the Memorial Day recess.

Some have instead blamed the lobbying efforts of groups opposed to the bill for disrupting the committee's plans. The longer it is delayed, the less chance it will pass in time to effect the 2010 mid-term elections. As The Hill described it, "Opponents cheered the delay while supporters winced. The decision to push the vote off gives the bill’s aggressive opponents at least one more week to make their case and bend lawmakers’ ears about their complaints."

The Washington Independent reports, "the prospect of donor disclosure has proven unpalatable to the NRA [National Rifle Association], the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Right to Life Committee, all of which fired off blistering critiques late last week in a bid to push the DISCLOSE measure from the House calendar."

The broad array of potential stumbling blocks raised by individual non-profits — many of which are well positioned to punish or reward lawmakers for their votes by directing ads during the coming midterm elections — underscores the delicacy of talks now going on among Democrats and affected groups.

The article also notes comments from a League of Women Voters representative, who referenced a proposed amendment from Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC) as a possible deal-breaker for the group. The amendment would exempt any 501(c)(4) nonprofit that pays for ads using only individual donations.

The Chamber and the National Right to Life Committee sent letters to lawmakers last week informing them that they would use their vote on the legislation in evaluating their records.

According to the National Journal, "sticking points [. . .] are being negotiated with key stakeholder groups as sponsors hope to see the bill hit the House floor next week."

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that at least "20 major political advocacy groups plan to spend well over $400 million on campaign contributions, issue-based advertising and other election-related efforts this year."

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