Senate Democrats failed to get enough votes to proceed on their legislation to counter the 2010 Citizens United campaign finance ruling.
The DISCLOSE Act failed this evening on a procedural vote 51-44. But Democrats aren’t going down without some drama.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) moved to reconsider the failed cloture vote tomorrow. And sponsor Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) is leading a “midnight vigil” along with Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
The Democrats pledged, even before the GOP blocked the legislation, to hold onto the Senate floor late into the night tonight in an effort to bring greater attention to the issue and force a second vote on the bill tomorrow.
“We recognize that you don’t win every fight in round one, and this is a fight worth continuing,” said Whitehouse. “Putting an end to secret election spending by special interests is an essential step in protecting middle class priorities. For that reason, we are committed to continuing the debate on the DISCLOSE Act late into the night and asking for a second vote tomorrow if need be. We can’t let the special interests off the hook after just one round.”
The DISCLOSE Act requires any organization that spends $10,000 or more during an election cycle to file a report within 24 hours, identifying any donors who gave $10,000 or more. The sponsor says it will make “political groups posing as social welfare organizations” disclose donors and will prevent corporations and other wealthy interests from using shell corporations to funnel secret money to super PACs.
“Tonight we will debate whether we truly believe in the first three words of our Constitution: ‘We the People.’ The flood of secret money unleashed by Citizens United is drowning out the voice of the people,” said Merkley. “Indeed, those who oppose disclosure are seeking to replace ‘We the People’ with ‘We the Powerful.’ This is wrong in so many ways. It’s way past time to shine a light on the darkness and discover who or what this money really stands for.”
“The DISCLOSE Act will not fix all of the evil effects of Citizens United, but it is certainly a step forward,” said Franken.
Republicans were less dramatic.
“The Senate has now voted on this measure three times,” said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas). “With 23 million Americans struggling for work and unemployment over 8 percent for 41 straight months, we should be focused on job creation and boosting our weak economy.”
“In its current form, the DISCLOSE Act is closer to a clever attempt at political gamesmanship, than actual reform,” said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), no stranger to campaign finance reform. “By conveniently setting high thresholds for reporting requirements, the DISCLOSE Act forces some entities to inform the public about the origins of their financial support, while allowing others – most notably those affiliated with organized labor – to fly below the Federal Election Commission’s regulatory radar.”
President Obama said in a statement that “instead of standing up for the American people, Republicans stood with big banks and oil companies – special interests that certainly don’t need more clout in Washington.”
“I will continue to do everything I can to repair the deficit of trust between Washington and the American people,” Obama said. “I’m disappointed Republicans in Congress failed to take action and hold corporations and special interests accountable to the American people.”
From the final paragraph…
“I will continue to do everything I can to repair the deficit of trust between Washington and the American people,” Obama said.
FAIL! The obamessiah has had almost four years to build trust and has instead destroyed what little there was. His utter lack of experience and penchant for surrounding himself – and filling his administration with – fools and crooks has led him to become ever more impossibly arrogant and stupid over time.
Goes to show you that Democrats are mighty slow learners. They’ll whip a dead horse.
And every time I read a tweet from Senator Sherrod Brown about Disclose, I’ll be honest, I just want to slap the man. Not to worry – I never would do such a thing. A tongue lashing would suffice should I ever get the opportunity.
The biggest obstacle to moral progress isn’t apathy, it’s willful ignorance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5iqleUz6ew
““The DISCLOSE Act will not fix all of the evil effects of Citizens United, but it is certainly a step forward,” said Franken.”
What “evil effects”?
Allowing Republicans to compete on a more level playing field.
Yup! — For “The lying liar who lies about the lies he doesn’t tell” that’s what it’s about. The size of it. All of it. — Lotsa “liberal” dummies in Minn.
Senator Tom Udall is posturing again. He is honking about the anonymity of the Corporate PACs. The Demagogues must have realized that these Corporations give to both parties and he needs a list of the Corporations to make sure that the Demagogues get their fair share. Pissed me off. You guys know how I sometimes over-react to this Political idiocy. So I posted an answer…
It’s too late, O’Bumbler already bought the White House four years ago and he’s trying to do it again. Did you see that Press Story about his Fund Raising Benefits in Switzerland, France, Sweden, and Communist China? What could Communist China possibly gain by using Red Army Funds to re-elect the O’Bumbler? http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/07/busy-month-for-obama-campaign-with-fundraisers-in-switzerland-sweden-paris-and-communist-china/
http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/george-clooney-to-host-obama-fundraisers-in-europe/question-2766949/
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Obama+Fund+Raising+in+europe&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
The democrats are such little frauds. There is always a little hidden communist agenda or democrat bribe in their legislation.
Are unions People?
Are government unions… People?
Are non-profit Democrat slush fund money launderers… PEE-PUL??
Middle class priorities? Just what in hell is that? Or is the left up to its usual verbal trickery by sprinkling their bullshit with Pavlovian buzz words hoping we will salivate on cue? Why not just call the bill’s opponents homophobic and racist too? That works for everything else they want to shove down our throats. They can’t stand the fact that the unions now have competition. One big difference though: government unions use MY MONEY to push their agenda. At least I won’t be asked to finance my downfall with Super PAC money. BTW – when are they going to draft legislation to curtail and blunt the activities of George Schwartz Soros? Didn’t think so.
Uploaded by CNSNews on Oct 25, 2010 When Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) gave her inaugural address as speaker of the House in 2007, she vowed there would be “no new deficit spending.” Since that day, the national debt has increased by $5 trillion, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0CUcnRPSeg
Funny how when the right finds a venue for their political voice the left wants to shut it down. What are they afraid of? Money can influence elections? Of course it can. They’re afraid they’ll lose their monopoly on union funded ad-buys. May the Schwartz be with them.
I’m amazed that 14 Republican Senators were for disclosure before but now they are against disclosure? Our democracy is at stake when just a few can spend so much. The Republicans don’t care about democracy as long as they win. Block the vote, don’t focus on jobs, prevent abortion, hate gays, and spend more on defense has been their mantra for awhile. It’s sad that Republicans prefer an Oligarchy where the wealthy dictate their wants to the working class.
I want my country back!
Want your country back? Really? — Nothing easier: Join and support TEA party!
“Republicans don’t care about democracy as long as they win.” — Do you? Didn’t think so. Pot/kettle, ya know?
By the way, we’re NOT a democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic; at least we were until you DemLibs got a hold of it once too often. THAT’S what WE want back. We’ll get it, too! “Read my lips”!
By the way, the 14 Repubs changed sides on the bill once they read it. ‘Bout time somebody reads the bills before voting, don’t you agree?!
By the way, WHAT “working class”? Last I heard, most of ‘em are out of work, still, after 48 months!
By the way, the big oligarchs are now in Washington: WH, NLRB, Senate, Crony Capitalists, a long list. All Democrats. Mostly rich to super-rich.
By the way, where ARE the jobs? Hiding? – With those guys in charge, if I were a job, I’d sure be hiding!
Entre nous (Ya Haaarvurd Libs like French, no? Or is it now Spanish? Well!): Nobody likes Oligarchs, but at least the Republican ones work! Pass the word! Pass it on! (You’ll be the first to tell a secret secret!)
Greetings to the fair ole yard and its pump (and trolls)!