DNC creates new restrictions for corporate donations

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Saturday passed a resolution banning donations from corporate contributors whose areas of interest come into conflict with the DNC’s stated values.

The resolution, which was introduced by California member Christine Pelosi, passed unanimously. Christine Pelosi is the daughter of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Christine Pelosi has introduced similar resolutions before that were shot down over concerns about which industries the measures would target.

#DNC will VOTE today on my resolution to empower grassroots donors and refuse corp money contra our platform. Democrats, let’s #WalkOurTalk! pic.twitter.com/5zMsGSWckH

— (((sfpelosi))) (@sfpelosi) October 21, 2017

The move was celebrated on Twitter by progressive members of the Democratic Party who have been pushing to reduce corporate influence in the party.

An online petition created by MoveOn member Sandy Phillips indicates that the resolution was designed to target “gun, tobacco, payday lender, and other corporate donations counter to our values.”

“Thnx Pelosi for taking a stand. Admire that you have always been for eliminating these positions of cronyism,” wrote Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on Twitter.

The resolution’s strength in the DNC is unclear. Hours after the resolution passed, Pelosi warned that DNC officials were whispering that the vote is not legally binding, allowing DNC Chairman Tom Perez to ignore it. Pelosi issued a call on her Twitter account, challenging Perez to uphold the vote of DNC members.

“Amid scuttle from @DNC staff that #WalkOurTalk” resolution is legally ‘nonbinding’ let’s ask @TomPerez: will you heed Members’ vote or not?” Pelosi tweeted.

The DNC met this weekend in Las Vegas for the party’s fall meeting. Along with scheduled speakers such as Perez and vice chairman Rep Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the event also featured a surprise appearance from former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

A previous rule implemented during the Obama administration by the DNC banning contributions from federal lobbyists was rolled back last year by former DNC chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.).

–This report was updated on Oct. 23 at 4:21 p.m.