Press Releases Archive

Democracy 21 and the Campaign Legal Center Sue the FEC for Failure to Enforce the Law and Protect the Integrity of Our Democracy

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The Commission’s Actions, in Dismissing Five Straw Donor Complaints, Were “Arbitrary, Capricious and An Abuse of Discretion and Otherwise Contrary to the Law” Democracy 21 and the Campaign Legal Center filed a lawsuit Friday night in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against the Federal Election Commission for dismissing five complaints that CLC […]

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Democracy 21 and Public Citizen File Amicus Brief in SCOTUS Case McDonnell vs USA

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Former Virginia Governor Can’t Use First Amendment Cases to Escape Bribery Conviction, Groups Tell Supreme Court Adopting McDonnell’s Arguments Would Substitute Kleptocracy for Democracy, Say Public Citizen and Democracy 21 Former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell is wrong to use two recent U.S. Supreme Court campaign finance rulings to argue that his conviction on bribery charges […]

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Reform Groups File Amicus Brief Defending Soft Money Ban

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  Democracy 21, Public Citizen and the Campaign Legal Center joined today in filing an amicus brief defending the constitutionality of the ban on parties using soft money in federal elections. The brief was filed in Republican Party of Louisiana v. Federal Election Commission, a case   pending before a three-judge panel of the U.S. District […]

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Reform Groups Call on FEC to Investigate & Sanction “Children of Israel LLC” for Evading Disclosure Laws

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  Democracy 21 joined with the Campaign Legal Center in filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) that called on the agency to investigate contributions to “the ghost corporation” “Children of Israel LLC,” which funneled $400,000 to two super PACs. According to an article by The Washington Post, the mysterious California-based LLC contributed $50,000 to […]

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Watchdog Groups Attack IRS Decision to Overrule Proposed Staff Denial of Crossroads GPS’ “Social Welfare” Tax Status

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  In a letter sent today to the Internal Revenue Service Commissioner, Democracy 21 joined by the Campaign Legal Center criticized the IRS’ decision made without explanation to grant recognition to Crossroads GPS as a “social welfare” organization under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS Exempt Organizations staff decided in 2013 to […]

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Democracy 21 and Campaign Legal Center Urge FEC to Investigate Use of LLC to Hide Donors to pro-Chris Christie Super PAC

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New complaint highlights more and more Super PAC donors are hiding behind LLCs as the FEC fails to enforce the law  Democracy 21 joined the Campaign Legal Center in filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), calling on the agency to investigate contributions funneled through “Decor Services LLC” to a pro-Chris Christie Super […]

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Reform Groups Urge Senators to Support Federal Election Administration Act to Replace the FEC

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  In a letter sent today, reform groups urged Senators to cosponsor the Federal Election Administration Act being introduced today by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM). The Act provides a framework and the basis for developing a new legislative approach for properly enforcing and interpreting the campaign finance laws and creates a new independent agency to […]

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Watchdog Groups file FEC Complaints Against Shell Companies Hiding Super PAC Donors

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  Democracy 21 joined the Campaign Legal Center today in filing two complaints with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), calling on the agency to investigate campaign donors who are skirting disclosure laws by hiding behind corporations to anonymously fund elections. The first complaint asks the FEC to investigate whether DE First Holdings, which came into […]

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Democracy 21 Condemns DNC’s Decision to Abandon Ban on Lobbyist Contributions

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  Statement by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer According to a Washington Post article today, the DNC has abandoned the ban on lobbyist contributions that was established for the party by President Obama. This move by the DNC is a major step in the wrong direction and is in direct conflict with the American people’s deep concerns about the […]

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IRS Decision to Grant on “Social Welfare” Status of Crossroads GPS is Complete Abdication of Agency’s Duty

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 Statement by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer The reported decision by the IRS to grant “social welfare” status to Crossroads GPS is a complete abdication of the agency’s duty to enforce the tax laws. The decision was revealed today by the Center for Responsive Politics. By no stretch of the imagination can Crossroads GPS be considered […]

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