• B&C, Monday, May 24, 2010 12:13 AM

Democrats have modified the DISCLOSE Act (HR 5175.) to allow for hardship waivers of disclosure requirements for political ads on radio and TV. The DISCLOSE Act, which is short for Democracy is Strengthened by casting Light On Spending In Elections, was a response to the Supreme Court's decision in Citizen's United case that a ban on direct corporate and union funding of political ads was unconstitutional.

The response is to tighten disclosures on the corporations and unions backing those ads, are ones that would require more explicit, and potentially longer and more extensive, disclaimers on all TV ads funded by special interests. For example, if a corporation or interest group has paid the money, the CEO or advocacy group head has to appear at the end of the ad and say he or she approved the message, just as candidates do. The GOP objected that such disclaimers would interfere with the message; if so, they can apply for an exemption.

Read the whole story at B&C »