News
USA TodayReports show that more campaigns raise big moneyBy John FritzeDecember 15, 2008 Nearly half of the nation’s House and Senate candidates raised $1 million or more in contributions for the 2008 election, about two-thirds more than a decade ago, campaign-finance reports show. Watchdog groups say ever-more-costly campaigns benefit incumbents, who have an easier time […]
The HillLawmakers skip taxes on family travelBy Mike SoraghanFebruary 9, 2009 Many members of Congress may have a Tom Daschle problem. A week after the former senator withdrew his nomination for Health and Human Services secretary because of reports he didn’t pay taxes on a car and driver, lawmakers are facing their own tax questions. […]
Another Moment of Truth for the FEC– A Report from Washington by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer – This week, on May 13, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) is scheduled to consider a proposal by two of its Commissioners that would put the brakes on "527 political organizations" that are circumventing the federal campaign finance […]
An editorial appeared today in The New York Times entitled, ”Razzle-Dazzle ‘Em Ethics Reform.” The editorial challenges and rejects as ”cosmetic” the system currently being considered, under which the House Ethics Committee would pre-approve privately-funded trips for members of Congress. The New York TimesRazzle-Dazzle ‘Em Ethics Reform June 21, 2006 The House ethics committee, ever […]
The Washington PostFEC Drops ‘Soft Money’ Action; GOP, Democratic Groups Warned About Future FundraisingThomas B. EdsallApril 29, 2003 The Federal Election Commission dismissed complaints against two inactive “soft money” committees yesterday but warned that tougher steps could be taken once active fundraising begins. The decisions announced yesterday were the first test of the regulatory enforcement […]
Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer The three Republican Commissioners of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) once again have failed to discharge their duty to faithfully administer the campaign finance laws. By voting in the EMILY’s List case to block the recommendation of the FEC General Counsel to appeal the decision by a three-judge […]
The HillDeParle’s industry ties a non-issue By Jeffrey Young March 5, 2009 White House Office of Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle’s professional ties to healthcare companies may have prompted questions from the media, but government ethics watchdogs say they don’t see a problem. DeParle brings stellar credentials to her new job, having served in several high-level […]
The Washington PostJustices Split on Campaign Finance Court Will Debate Case This Fall Charles LaneSeptember 9, 2003 With the first caucuses and primaries of campaign 2004 bearing down on them, the justices of the Supreme Court convened yesterday for an unusual late-summer oral argument on campaign finance law, and when it was over, the four-hour […]
Analysis: Problems with the Presidential Public Financing Systemand Solutions in New Legislation Introduced by Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI)and Representatives Marty Meehan (D-MA) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) The presidential public financing system was established in 1974 in the wake of the Watergate scandals to provide candidates with the financial resources necessary to compete effectively for the […]
By Susan Crabtree House Republican leaders won’t say whether they will scrap an ethics office if they regain the majority this fall.The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), established by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in 2008, has attracted criticism from Republicans and Democrats during the last couple of years. Most GOP lawmakers voted against the creation […]
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