EMILY's List sues to block new FEC restrictions

[Kadie]

EMILY's List sues to block new FEC restrictions
SHARON THEIMER, Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, January 12, 2005



(01-12) 13:13 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --

A group that helps female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights is asking a federal judge to block new campaign finance rules that it argues will cripple its ability to participate in state and local elections.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday by EMILY's List in U.S. District Court asks a judge to block Federal Election Commission regulations that took effect Jan. 1. The group contends that the commission exceeded its authority and violated free-speech rights by imposing the new fund-raising and spending limits.

Among the changes, the FEC placed spending restrictions on groups that collect both "soft money" -- corporate, union and unlimited donations -- and "hard money," limited donations from individuals. Hard money can be spent any way, including direct support for specific candidates. There are restrictions on the spending of soft money.

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2005/01/12/national1449EST0610.DTL

[Ian David]

1. Is this a good idea?

Considering Republican PACS out-spent Democrat PACS by 9-to-1 in 2004, do we really want ANY rules that ease restrictions on activist money?

[LisaM]

2. They're trying to stop union money from being used in elections

they've been trying to do this for a long time.