AP: Two Lawmakers Challenge FEC Regulations

[Eugene]

Two Lawmakers Challenge FEC Regulations


Wednesday July 12, 2006 8:46 PM

By JIM KUHNHENN

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two of the main sponsors of a 2002 law that restricts political
donations sued the Federal Election Commission this week, challenging new agency
regulations that govern when candidates and independent groups can coordinate their
political messages.

The lawsuit, filed by Reps. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., and Martin Meehan, D-Mass.,
contends that FEC rules effective this week are too lenient. The lawmakers said the
FEC would permit unions, corporations and wealthy individuals to pay for some
political ads and still avoid federal restrictions on in-kind contributions.

<snip>

The regulations at issue would require labor unions, corporations or individuals
to abide by contribution restrictions and disclosure requirements only if ads they
financed appeared within 90 days of a congressional election or 120 days before a
presidential election.

The FEC and supporters of the regulation say that such a restriction would cover
almost all of the independent political advertising that occurs in a campaign cycle.
Critics argue that it creates a loophole for advertising that falls outside FEC
regulations and ignores the expansion of political campaigns into year-round events.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5947078,00.html

[infogirl]

1. hmm, just saw a press release that JIm Davis from Florida

running for gov...did not disclose the occupations of $220,000 worth of donations, required by the FEC under law. People are angry and want to know where his MONEY IS COMING FROM...and by law they have a right to know.