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    ‘DISCLOSE Act’



    News Round-Up: Friday, September 24, 2010

    Friday, September 24th, 2010

    Hey Rockers,

    In today’s news we have election reform bills, more reaction to the Pledge to America, students mobilizing to register people on their campus, and Justin Bieber guest stars on CSI. PLUS, we just launched a new site called Electionland where you can find out everything you need to know to vote this fall and ask questions! Check it out: http://bit.ly/9a0zez

    CRUCIAL:

    Senate Democrats again fail to pass campaign disclosure law: http://bit.ly/aFf8yu

    A law that would require corporations and special interest groups to provide more details on their political donations failed to pass in the Senate.

    Justice Department objects to court action on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’: http://bit.ly/a1jnOM

    While a federal court ruled that “don’t ask, don’t tell”  is unconstitutional, the government refused to immediately lift the policy.

    Colbert storms Capitol Hill for migrant workers: http://bit.ly/9t4Va6

    Colbert stayed in character for his testimony at a hearing today, which caused some to speculate whether or not the issue of migrant labor is being taken seriously.

    W.H. prepares for staff shake-up: http://bit.ly/cJHTS1

    The White House is trying to clarify rumors over when Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod will leave their posts and how it will affect the administration.

    At U.N., Obama shifts emphasis: http://bit.ly/d9wXRO

    Obama made promoting human rights and democracy a focal point of his speech to the UN yesterday.

    “Pledge to America” Gets Mixed Reviews from Conservatives: http://bit.ly/cjrvZp

    Not all Republicans are pleased with the Pledge to America, with some saying it’s too light on substance.

    Rockin’ Rock Band with Rock the Vote: http://politi.co/d2H690

    Politico’s Patrick Gavin stopped by our DC office to play some Rock Band with Rock the Vote President Heather Smith and Digital Director Jason Rosenberg!

    Will Obama’s youth movement return for crucial midterm vote?: http://bit.ly/bp3rys

    The Obama administration is hoping it can recapture those youth votes from 2008.

    The youth vote in Wisconsin: http://bit.ly/dcD7pY

    A Wisconsin paper breaks down how young voter trends in the state in anticipation of Obama’s visit to the University of Wisconsin next Tuesday.

    UC and CSU campuses race to register student voters: http://bit.ly/dnJRLk

    The University of California and California State University are making a push to register student voters before the deadline and they’ll be collaborating with Rock the Vote for an awesome concert on October 15.

    Rock the Vote launches Electionland!: http://bit.ly/cfBmot

    This summary of our new voter information center Electionland comes from Colorado, but we’ve got info there on every state! You can find out where to vote, how to vote, and more about the candidates up for election. Check it out: http://bit.ly/9a0zez

    Judge denies class action status for unhappy Crist donors: http://bit.ly/a7mKiA

    Many of Charlie Crist’s supporters who donated when he was still running as a Republican want their money back. The latest news from their lawsuit indicates that’s not likely to happen.

    Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez Says Vietnamese are Trying to Defeat Her: http://bit.ly/aIMiOY

    Orange County Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is in some hot water for recent comments on who is trying to take her seat in Congress.

    CULTURAL:

    Watch ‘CSI’ With Only the Justin Bieber Parts: http://bit.ly/cOE07A

    The young pop star guest-starred on last night’s episode.

    Miley Cyrus Laughs Off Marriage Rumors: /bit.ly/8ZMbP4

    The former Disney Darling recently addressed a bunch of the rumors about her in a YouTube video.

    Oksana to Mel: I’ll Destroy The Tapes … for a Price: http://bit.ly/aaFK4u

    Is Oksana trying to extort Mel for more money?

    Tom Yarnell
    Bio: Tom is a former Rock the Vote communications team member who now works for an intellectual property law firm in DC. He loves sports and coming back to blog for RTV!
    @thomasyarnell
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com



    Your vote, your issues: Fair elections

    Friday, September 24th, 2010

    We know that young people are deeply concerned about our political process and how it can be improved. Our new polling data indicates that 59% of young people are more cynical about politics than they were two years ago, and an overwhelming 86% said they are concerned about the influence of special interests and corporations in politics. This week, the Senate made some big decisions on two bills related to this very issue. While the outcome of both bills is uncertain, you can be sure your vote will make a difference in reforming our elections system. Let’s break down the news from this week:

    Many celebrated yesterday as a step towards leveling the playing field in our political process. The House Committee on Administration passed the Fair Elections Now Act, which is intended to curb candidates reliance on special interest contributions and thus give candidates without big time connections more of a chance. The act would require candidates to only receive donations of less than $100 from residents of their state but those funds would be matched at a 4-1 rate with money from the sale of unused broadcast spectrum. Sponsored by Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), the Fair Elections Now Act is intended to create a political climate where candidates focus on campaigning to constituents rather than corporations or lobbyists.

    The legislation now heads to the floor, so be sure to stay tuned for updates!

    In other election reform news, the DISCLOSE act failed to pass by a 59-39 vote, with Senate Republicans filibustering the bill. The legislation is aimed at increasing transparency in campaigns and would require corporations, special interest groups, and unions to offer more details about their political contributions. Advocates of DISCLOSE say that voters have a right to know who is bankrolling candidates while opponents say it is merely an attempt to silence Republican-leaning business groups. The act was created in response to a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which found that corporations had the same rights as individuals to make political statements and contributions. This being the second time DISCLOSE has been defeated in the Senate, we’ll have to wait and see what happens to the bill.

    Tom Yarnell
    Bio: Tom is a former Rock the Vote communications team member who now works for an intellectual property law firm in DC. He loves sports and coming back to blog for RTV!
    @thomasyarnell
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com



    Legislative Response to Citizens United

    Friday, April 30th, 2010

    Earlier this year, the Supreme Court decided Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which overturned a long-time ban on companies and unions spending unlimited funds for or against political candidates in federal elections (President, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives). It used to be that companies and unions weren’t allowed to use “general treasury” funds on ads and other communications that advocated for the election or defeat of specific candidates. Not anymore. These entities can now spend unlimited funds to influence elections. Not great.

    That’s where the DISCLOSE Act comes in. (DISCLOSE stands for Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections. Rolls right off the tongue.) The goal of the bill – a version was introduced in both the House and the Senate – is to increase transparency and require fuller disclosure of political spending (not end the spending itself entirely, which would have to be done with an amendment to the Constitution). You can read a summary of the bipartisan bill that was introduced in the House yesterday by clicking here.

    Specifically, the bill would prohibit foreign-controlled corporations from making political expenditures. In addition, entities with government contracts of $50,000 or more or those that got money under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and have not paid back the taxpayers would be barred from this type of political spending. Other requirements, as summarized by the Washington Post, include: “companies and unions would have to identify themselves on ads that they pay for; disclose information about such expenditures to shareholders and the public; and stand by the message of any ads through statements from a CEO or other top official, much as political candidates currently are required to do.”

    President Obama likes it:

    “I welcome the introduction of this strong bi-partisan legislation to control the flood of special interest money into America’s elections. Powerful special interests and their lobbyists should not be able to drown out the voices of the American people. Yet they work ceaselessly toward that goal: they claim the protection of the Constitution in extending this power, and they exploit every loophole in the law to escape limits on their activities. The legislation introduced today would establish the toughest-ever disclosure requirements for election-related spending by big oil corporations, Wall Street and other special interests, so the American people can follow the money and see clearly which special interests are funding political campaign activity and trying to buy representation in our government. I have long believed that sunlight is the best disinfectant, and this legislation will shine an unprecedented light on corporate spending in political campaigns. This bill will also prohibit foreign entities from manipulating the outcomes of American elections and help close other special interest loopholes. I hope that Congress will give this legislation the swift consideration it deserves, which is especially urgent now in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Passing the legislation is a critical step in restoring our government to its rightful owners: the American people.”

    What do you think?

    Thomas Bates
    Bio: Thomas is Rock the Vote's Vice President of Civic Engagement.
    @BatesThomas
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com