Democrats plan to introduce bill to blunt ruling on political spending

[alp227]

Source: The Washington Post

Democrats plan to introduce legislation next week that would sharply limit the ability of foreign-connected companies to participate in U.S. politics and require greater transparency from corporations, unions and nonprofit groups that pay for political advertising, according to a confidential summary of the bill.

The proposal, spearheaded by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), is aimed at blunting the effect of a Supreme Court ruling in January that permits companies and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money for or against political candidates. President Obama has sharply attacked the ruling, and many Democrats fear it will unleash a flood of corporate spending that is likely to favor Republicans.

According to the summary, obtained by The Washington Post, the legislation would require corporate chief executives or group leaders to publicly attach their names to ads, much like political candidates are required to do. It would also mandate disclosure of major donors whose money is used for "campaign-related activity."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/22/AR2010042205778.html?wprss=rss_politics

[aquart]

1. Blunt it? Eviscerate it.

[Democat]

2. Good - make corporations put their name on any ads!

Let's see "We must stop a black man from getting elected president! I'm Rupert Murdoch and I approve of this message."

[annabanana]

3. "My name is Exxon Mobil, and I approve this message."

No more of those "American Allieance for Responsible Energy" - type foundations...

[breadandwine]

4. We're still in big trouble because the GOP will filibuster the hoosiebonkers out of this.

Democrats don't have the guts to bring in the sleeping cots and ride out the filibuster. They're wimps. When the filibuster sets in they'll shelve the legislation and move on.