Democrats prepare for election-year battle to craft Citizens United legislation (free speech)

The Hill ^ | April 13, 2010 | Russell Berman

[opentalk]

Legislation that aims to counteract the landmark Supreme Court ruling allowing corporate and union campaign spending could be introduced by the end of the week.

The bill would set up an election-year fight over a recent high court decision just as the Senate considers a nominee to fill the seat of retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) are expected to unveil their legislation by the end of this week, although an announcement could slip into the beginning of next week, a Democratic aide said.

The Democrats are working to line up Republican support in both chambers to make the bill a bipartisan offering. Reps. Mike Castle (R-Del.), Todd Platts (R-Pa.) and Walter Jones (R-N.C.), all previous backers of campaign finance reform measures, are seen as the most likely GOP supporters of the bill, sources involved in the discussions said.

The legislation is a response to the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling in a case involving the conservative group Citizens United. That ruling overturned laws banning certain political spending by corporations, both for-profit and nonprofit, and unions. Democrats were furious with the decision, calling it a victory for corporate interests over average citizens, while Republicans said it was a long-overdue recognition that campaign spending should be treated as free speech.

[DarthVader]

They will only get smacked down again.

[Plutarch]

I wonder if McCain could be reached for comment?

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Many reform advocates are hoping to add a provision that would require corporations to hold a shareholder vote for significant political expenditures"

And of course we can expect that the union will have to hold a vote of it's members to release their dues for campaign expenditures........ NOT!

[Snickering Hound]

[Tzimisce]

The 1st Amendment says “Congress shall pass NO law.”

But in Obamaland, the rules no longer matter.

Dems are in HUGE trouble. They’ve pissed off their voter base and now businessmen they’ve been demonizing for years have just been given the green light to fight back.

It is a very bad day to be a liberal Democrat.

[Vaduz]

The cost of bribes just went sky high.

[Major Matt Mason]

Reps. Mike Castle (R-Del.), Todd Platts (R-Pa.) and Walter Jones (R-N.C.)

Three more that don't get it. Looks like we'll have to work on tremoving these bums, as well.