There was good news this afternoon in the Senate. The effort to end the filibuster of the DISCLOSE Act, the campaign finance bill that would overturn the Citizens United decision and impose onerous new disclosure requirements, by invoking cloture was defeated 57 to 41, so it will not proceed to a vote. This is a victory for the First Amendment.
However, there are no permanent victories in politics. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who supports the bill and moved for the cloture vote, changed his “yes” to a “no” vote when he saw the measure going down to defeat. Under Senate rules, this means he can move for reconsideration and have a second vote on the cloture motion. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), the main sponsor of the bill, is quoted by The Hill as saying that the majority will “go back at this bill again and again and again until we pass it.” Protectors of free speech rights obviously must remain vigilant as the Senate session continues.
I'm glad it failed! I will keep an eye on congress to see what they are going to do to the first amendment. I am glad you are doing that too.
Dear Chuck, 7/27/10
You diabolical attack on the First Amendment was not appreciated. You and your colleagues have perpetrated way too much horrible carnage on the American Taxpayer. It is way past time for you to retire and move to a small place outside of Buffalo and raise a few chickens.
Sincerely, Joe
Chuck Schumer is an embarrassment.
http://www.nydivide.org/2010/06/temporary-tax-bre…
Yesssssss!
This article is a perfect example of why we have to get rid of these people this election cycle. They have nearly destroyed our Country. We the people must enforce term limits and bring sanity and common sense back to our Federal Government. The politicians will not do this on their own. They have become the ruling Class, not representatives.
The trouble is New Yokers have been abused by Chuck U Schumer for so long they think they actually deserve it.
Amen for term limits!!!
Time to clean up the financing and, more than that, clean up Washington ! Here's my idea of an ammendment to do just that. Send your comments, PLEASE, to tbeebe6535– yahoo
AMENDMENT XXVIII
No candidate for the Presidency or either house of Congress shall accept contributions in cash or in kind from any organization or group of persons for expenses incurred in a campaign for that office. All such contributions shall be made by individuals who shall attest that the funds or other items of value are from their own resources and that they have not received, nor have they been promised, offsetting items of value from any other party in exchange for their contribution. The identity and extent of contributions to such campaigns shall be made public for a period of thirty days from receipt before being employed or used as collateral for a loan by such campaigns.
No person may be elected to either house of Congress more than two times.
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The intent of the above is to bring “transparency” to campaign financing by removing any group from the process whereby that group may conceal the identity of a contributor as well as limiting the influence of such groups or “special interests”. It further prevents an organization from making such contributions when an individual within that organization may oppose the candidate.
The term-limit is inserted to diminish the worth of an office holder to an individual or group who may wish to influence that office-holder by gift or other form of remuneration.
I'll bet the NRA is crying in it's beer Not only did they loose their "special
deal", but it points out exactly what is Harry Reid, thus might effects his possible NRA endorcement. As for "Chuck-you" Schumer, what else would you expect from a pig but a grunt.
Tom – Simplify your proposed amendment to: "No candidate for the Presidency or either house of Congress shall accept contributions in cash or in kind from any organization or group of persons."
Payments/deals to gain "access" are a problem, whether related to "campaigning" or not.
And … although our representatives, senators, and Presidents are perpetually "in campaign mode," they will maintain that they are doing duties other than campaigning that need funding from sources outside the Federal government.
Balderdash.
Chalk one up for the good guys.