The U.S. House is considering the DISCLOSE Act this week.
U.S. House Democrats
H.R. 5175 is an attempt by Democrats to overturn a recent Supreme Court decision that found portions of the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Law to be unconstitutional. The bill would negatively affect grassroots organizations that inform voters on ballot issues.
Many groups had stood in opposition to the bill, including the National Rifle Association NRA, which fears it would be muzzled by the measure. Reports from Capitol Hill reveal the NRA has struck a deal with lawmakers to exclude the organization from compliance along with some corporations.
Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst with CitizenLink, said the move may hurt efforts to stop the legislation.
"It's pretty tough when a handful of groups break the line and carve out an exemption for themselves, leaving the rest of us hanging," she said. "The majority of groups like ours will definitely be hurt if this bill is enacted."
A letter from the National Right to Life Committee outlines the potential harm of the legislation.
"(The bill) has been carefully crafted to maximize short-term political benefits for the dominant faction of one political party," the statement reads, "while running roughshod over the First Amendment protections for political speech that have been clearly and forcefully articulated by the U.S. Supreme Court."
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Contact: Kim Trobee
Source: CitizenLink
Publish Date: June 16, 2010
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