Monthly Archives: July 2010

Shareholder Protection Act – Latest Incarnation of the DISCLOSE Act?

Posted on July 31, 2010 by William McGinley

Last week, the House Financial Services Committee passed the H.R. 4790, the Shareholder Protection Act of 2010. The legislation will amend the Securities Exchange Act to require shareholder approval before a publicly traded company may engage in political speech. The … Continue reading →

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Ethics – Second Congressional Democrat Faces Ethics Charges

Posted on July 31, 2010 by William McGinley

The Los Angeles Times reports that Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) faces ethics allegations stemming from her efforts to help a bank with ties to her husband.  A source close to Representative Waters indicates that she intends to contest the charges … Continue reading →

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Campaign Finance – Independent Expenditure PACs Begin Registering With FEC

Posted on July 31, 2010 by William McGinley

CQ Politics reports that at least three independent expenditure PACs have registered with the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) since the FEC issued two advisory opinions holding that such groups may accept unlimited donations from individuals, corporations and labor unions.  The … Continue reading →

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Campaign Finance – FEC News Update

Posted on July 31, 2010 by William McGinley

The Federal Election Commission’s Weekly Digest for the week of July 26-30, 2010 is now available.

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“Dems Table Campaign Finance Reform”

Posted on July 28, 2010 by William McGinley

Politico reports that Senate Democrats have tabled the DISCLOSE Act for the time being.  However, they may bring it up for another vote this fall if they believe they can score some political points.  The strategy appears to be fairly consistent with the … Continue reading →

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DISCLOSE Act Update – Democrats Fail To Get 60 Votes For Cloture

Posted on July 27, 2010 by William McGinley

The U.S. Senate just completed the procedural vote to proceed to debate regarding the DISCLOSE Act.  Senate Democrats failed to achieve the required 60 votes, and the motion failed 57 to 41.  We will have to wait and see if the they … Continue reading →

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President Obama To Make Statement On The DISCLOSE Act

Posted on July 26, 2010 by William McGinley

Politico reports that the White House has announced that President Obama will make a statement on the DISCLOSE Act today at 2:20 pm.

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“Down To Zero For Dislcose Act”

Posted on July 26, 2010 by William McGinley

The National Journal reports on the DISCLOSE Act maneuverings in the Senate in advance of tomorrow’s cloture vote.

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Lobbying Disclosure – Groups Advocate Stregthening Lobbying Registration Requirements

Posted on July 26, 2010 by William McGinley

Politico published an article discussing a new initiative by two groups to strengthen the lobbying registration requirements.  Specifically, the American League of Lobbyists and Sunlight Foundation are teaming up to advocate the elimination of the 20% lobbying activities requirement so that behind-the-scenes players … Continue reading →

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Campaign Finance – A Commonsense Comment On The Disclose Act?

Posted on July 26, 2010 by William McGinley

Last week, the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) adopted an advisory opinion in response to a request from Commonsense Ten, a Democratic soft money group that intends to air advertisement protecting Democratic incumbents and attacking Republican candidates.  The FEC advisory opinion request … Continue reading →

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Campaign Finance – DISCLOSE Act Cloture Vote Next Tuesday

Posted on July 23, 2010 by William McGinley

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed cloture late Thursday night for the DSICLOSE Act.  This move now sets the stage for a cloture vote on the legislation next Tuesday, July 27, 2010.  Most commenters believe that Senate Democrats do not have … Continue reading →

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Campaign Finance – FEC News Update

Posted on July 23, 2010 by William McGinley

The Federal Election Commission’s Weekly Digest for the week of July 19-23, 2010 is now available.

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Campaign Finance – FEC Approves Two Advisory Opinions On Independent Expenditure PACs

Posted on July 22, 2010 by William McGinley

The Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) just announced that it approved two advisory opinions on independent expenditure PACs (“IE PACs”).  From the FEC press release: In Advisory Opinion 2010-09 (Club for Growth), the Commission concluded that Club for Growth — a 501(c)(4) … Continue reading →

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BREAKING: Senator Charles Schumer Introduces New DISCLOSE Act

Posted on July 22, 2010 by William McGinley

Yesterday, Senator Charles Schumer - Democratic Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee - introduced a new DISCLOSE Act in the United States Senate.   The legislation, S. 3628, amends the Federal Election Campaign Act.  Thomas has posted a Bill Summary & Status page for … Continue reading →

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Campaign Finance – FEC Releases Two Draft Advisory Opinions Regarding Independent Expedenditure PACs

Posted on July 21, 2010 by William McGinley

The Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) released two draft advisory opinions providing guidance concerning the operations of independent expenditure PACs (“IE PACs”) established pursuant to the SpeechNow.org and Citizens Unitedfederal court decisions.  Comments on the draft AOs are due no later than … Continue reading →

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