Mr. Feingold:
Mr. President, I am pleased to be working once again with my partner in reform, the senior Senator from Arizona, Senator McCain, to introduce the 527 Reform Act.
Our purpose is simple--to pass legislation that will do what the FEC could and should do under current law, but, once again, has failed to do. Current Federal election law requires these groups to register as political committees and to stop raising and spending soft money. But the FEC has failed to enforce the law, so we must act in the Congress. This bill will make it absolutely clear that the federal election laws apply to 527 organizations.
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This bill will require all 527s to register as political committees unless they fall into a number of narrow categories. The exceptions are basically for groups that Congress exempted from disclosure requirements because they are so small or for groups that are involved exclusively in State election activity. Once a group registers as a political committee, certain activities, such as ads that mention only Federal candidates, will have to be paid for solely with hard money.
Etc, Etc
Mr. Schumer:
Mr. President, I rise today to join with Senator Obama in introducing landmark legislation to protect the most sacred right of our democracy: the right to vote. The Obama-Schumer Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 will end the deceptive practices that have become far too common in recent elections.
At the outset, I want to commend my colleague from Illinois, Senator Obama, for his leadership on this important issue. It has been a great pleasure to work with him to draft this bill. I am also proud that we are joined by Senators Leahy, Cardin, Feingold, Kerry, Feinstein, and Clinton as original cosponsors of this legislation.
We all know that there is an urgent need for this legislation. The right to vote is the wellspring of our democracy. Yet Americans have been profoundly shocked and disgusted in recent elections to see so many cynical attempts to lie to voters in order to keep them from casting their ballots.
Yes, sir Mr Schumer, we truly are shocked and disgusted that your party continues to steal elections...and more disgusted at your attempt to play the innocent.