And So It Begins.

So it begins. President-elect Donald Trump is moving quickly to staff his Administration and “loyalty” is key his allies say. But, John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, says “fealty” and “subservience,” not loyalty, is what Trump seeks. Some might say his early picks include an All-Star team of unqualified losers. Among them: Ethically challenged former Rep. […]

Washington Post Editorial: “Did tax-exempt groups mislead the IRS on political spending?”

The Washington Post Did tax-exempt groups mislead the IRS on political spending? By Editorial Board January 18, 2013 OF ALL THE groups that pumped hidden money into politics in recent years, the most notable and peculiar included those that claim a “social welfare” purpose and have applied to the Internal Revenue Service for designation as nonprofit […]

Reform Groups Urge Senators to Oppose Efforts to Restore Party Soft Money or Increase Party Contribution Limits

The enclosed letter was sent today to Senators and Representatives urging them to oppose efforts to restore the party soft money system or increase party contribution limits. The reform groups include Americans for Campaign Reform, Brennan Center for Justice, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Common Cause, Democracy 21,  Demos, League of Women Voters, […]

Watchdog Groups Call on IRS to Investigate American Tradition Partnership; Cite Its Reported Submission of Apparent False Information to the IRS Regarding Its Application for Tax-exempt Status

  In a letter sent today to the IRS, Democracy 21, joined by the Campaign Legal Center, called on the agency to investigate whether American Tradition Partnership (ATP), formerly known as Western Tradition Partnership (WTP), obtained its section 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status based on false information submitted to the IRS. According to the letter from the […]

“Straw Company” Complaints to FEC & DOJ Supplemented With Additional Information Regarding Funder & FreedomWorks’ Role

Today, Democracy 21 joined the Campaign Legal Center in supplementing complaints to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding possible violations of campaign finance law by two companies seemingly created for the purpose of funneling $12 million to the Super PAC FreedomWorks for America while hiding the identity of the donor.  […]

Watchdog Groups Again Call on IRS to Deny Tax-Exempt Status to Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS

Watchdog Groups Again Call on IRS to Deny Tax-Exempt Status to Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS Cite $70 Million in 2012 Campaign Expenditures as Prima Facie Evidence Group is Campaign Operation, not “Social Welfare” Group In a letter sent today to the IRS, Democracy 21, joined by the Campaign Legal Center, again called on the agency […]

The Washington Post: The toothless watchdog FEC

The Washington Post The toothless watchdog FEC By Editorial Board December 29, 2012 IT IS HARD to identify a federal agency in Washington more dysfunctional than the Federal Election Commission. Terms have expired for five of the six commissioners, and by next spring, the entire commission will be a lame duck if nothing is done. The […]

FEC & DOJ Complaints Filed Against “Straw Companies”

FEC & DOJ Complaints Filed Against “Straw Companies” that Funneled $12 million to FreedomWorks Super PAC Today, Democracy 21 joined the Campaign Legal Center to ask the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate possible violations of campaign finance law by two companies that appear to have been created for the […]

Democracy 21 Applauds Efforts by New York State Attorney General to End Secret Money in New York State and Local Races

Democracy 21 Applauds Efforts by New York State Attorney General to End Secret Money in New York State and Local Races Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer Democracy 21 applauds the effort begun yesterday by New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman to establish new rules in New York state to require nonprofits […]

Democracy 21 Calls for Prompt Action by President Obama to Appoint New FEC Commissioners

Democracy 21 Calls for Prompt Action by President Obama to Appoint New FEC Commissioners, and by Speaker Boehner and Democratic Leader Pelosi to Appoint New OCE Board Members Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer At Press Conference Held By Reform Groups December 12, 2012 The Federal Election Commission and the Office of Congressional Ethics […]