Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Justine Rellosa
Talk Radio News Service

The leader of a conservative non-profit group that was at the center of a major Supreme Court ruling earlier this year had harsh words for legislation aimed at adding more transparency to the process by which foreign corporations make campaign contributions.

In 2008, the group, Citizens United, filed an injunction against the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for enforcing provisions within the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act -- also known as McCain-Feingold -- that prevented the group from running television ads to promote a documentary film it produced entitled, Hillary: The Movie within 30 days of the 2008 Democratic primaries.

After a federal court ruled in favor of the FEC's actions, Citizens United appealed and the case went before the Supreme Court. In January of this year, the Court ruled in favor of the group, arguing that corporate funding of political elections cannot be limited under the First Amendment.

During a press conference today, Citizens United President David Bossie assailed a recently introduced piece of legislation called the “Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE)” Act, arguing that it does not consider the First Amendment rights of Americans.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), is aimed at prohibiting foreign influence on American elections, and strengthens the 'Pay-to-Play' law.

“This debate is about one thing and one thing only, the right of all Americans to speak out for or against their elected officials,” said Bossie. “Senator Schumer stated that he hoped this legislation would result in fewer people participating in the political process...if that’s not the definition of chilling free speech, I don’t know what is.”

Craig Holman, a legislative representative for Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, offered support for the bill.

“What could be achieved in the DISCLOSE Act is critical disclosure provisions that allow members of Congress and the public to realize...who is financing various campaign ads, who’s behind the campaign ads, and what interest it is that they’re attempting to achieve behind those campaign ads,” he said.