One day after Super PACs revealed their fundraising figures for 2011, Senate Democrats are calling for Congressional hearings to expose what they claim is a corrupting influence on national politics.
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"This is corroding our democracy," said Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse.
They're also vowing to push ahead with legislation that would increase disclosure requirements for donors and ensure they do notsecretly coordinate with campaigns. The 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision allowed greater leeway for independent groups—such as American Crossroads, coordinated by Republican consultant Karl Rove—to spend money in elections. So far, in this GOP primary, independent groups have played a far greater role in determining outcomes—according to New York Sen. Chuck Schumer's office, comprising 43 percent of the overall campaign spending.
Schumer, who heads the Senate Rules Committee, which will head the hearings later this month, claimed that because the groups aren't connected with the candidates, they focus on negative ads and degrade the campaign dialogue.
"It's seeking the lowest, most horrible common denominator," Schumer said. "The only way to change it is by legislation."
[Ron Paul Confident Heading to Caucuses.]
With a stronger majority in 2010, Democrats tried to force through legislation that required the disclosure of SuperPAC donors, but were stymied by Republican opposition. But on Tuesday, Democratic senators claimed they felt the ugliness of the GOP primary may have turned some minds in the GOP caucus. No Republican senators were on hand to support their calls into investigations into the campaign activity.
"If we continue the spotlight and the focus and the pressure, I think we can get [Republicans] to come forward," Schumer said. "The public is clearly on our side, and this is one of the most important issues facing America."
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- See photos of the 2012 GOP candidates.
aparker@usnews.com
Twitter: @AlexParkerDC
Reader Comments Read all comments (1)
BenDoubleCrossed of FL 5:04PM February 01, 2012