Who's Paying For What? Washington Takes Aim at Secret Political Money

Addressing disclosure is also more attainable than attempting to reform the whole system, says Mary Boyle, vice president of communications at open government group Common Cause.

"It's an immediate remedy that's politically realistic," she says. "Both sides of the aisle have historically been in favor of disclosure."

The DISCLOSE Act, a bill that would increase disclosure requirements for corporations, may have some bipartisan backing, Boyle says. The bill passed the House in 2010 before dying in the Senate. Newer versions were introduced in both chambers this year.

Seth Cline is a reporter with U.S. News and World Report. Contact him at scline@usnews.com or follow him on Twitter.

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