Disclose Act heads to Rules tomorrow

The bill was created in reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case, which ruled corporations are covered under the First Amendment. The ruling essentially removed campaign funding limits for these organizations. 

The legislation enhances disclosure rules for campaigns by requiring major backers to appear at the end of commercials for their candidate and announce they sponsored the ad. The top five organizations that donate to the ad must also be disclosed. 

The bill has come under heavy criticism from groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that argue it infringes upon the First Amendment rights of donors by forcing them to publicly announce their political leanings. 

A spokesman for Van Hollen contends the bill does not trample First Amendment rights. 

The Senate is expected to take up the bill shortly after it passes the House. 

“[The] Senate is committed to taking up and passing the Disclose Act in short order,” Van Hollen said in prepared remarks. “I urge my colleagues in the House to take the first step and pass the measure this week.”