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Disclosure of Political Spending: Asked and Answered
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy

In the Wall Street Journal, David Marston and John Yoo argue against disclosure of political expenditures by government contractors, but the Supreme Court has already said the disclosure of money in politics is perfectly constitutional.

April 27, 2011
Disclosure
Money in Politics
Maryland Jumps to the Head of the Class
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy

Late last night the Maryland legislature passed a groundbreaking campaign finance bill. The bill will require disclosure of independent expenditures and electioneering communications, and also force companies to report political spending to their shareholders.

April 12, 2011
Money in Politics
Disclosure
Reinvigorate Recusal Reform
Maria da Silva

The Brennan Center and Justice at Stake announced today support for a plan requiring neutral judges to decide recusal motions.

February 10, 2011
Disclosure
Fair Courts
The Unfinished Work of Citizens United
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy

One year after Citizens United – the now infamous decision allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts on political ads about candidates – corporate, securities and election laws across America remain largely unchanged. These laws must be fixed to catch up to the new reality of money in politics after Citizens United.

January 21, 2011
Disclosure
Money in Politics
Why can 41 senators crush popular will to temper money in politics?
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy

Yesterday the threat of filibuster in the Senate killed — at least for the moment — a transparency bill the country both needs and wants. This is another example of how the continual threat — and use — of the filibuster is bringing our democracy to a halt. Tuesday’s victim? Americans who might want to know who is funding political ads in our elections.

July 28, 2010
Disclosure
Money in Politics
The Citizens United Confirmation
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy

The confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan provided a miniature seminar on constitutional law. Kagan was asked over 500 questions and she discussed topics as diverse as gun rights to partial birth abortion. But front and center has been the January 2010 Supreme court case, Citizens United v. FEC. This was the case that granted corporations the same right to spend money on elections as a living, breathing human being. . . .

July 6, 2010
Disclosure
Money in Politics
Public Financing
The Right’s Latest Scare Tactic: No More Political Blogging
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy

At yesterday’s Congressional hearing on the DISCLOSE Act, one of the Republican witnesses, William McGinley, testified that "the broad reach of the new definitions of independent expenditure... now appear to regulate Internet communication, including the liberal and conservative blogosphere." This is a blatant attempt to kick sand in the eyes of lawmakers.

May 12, 2010
Disclosure
Money in Politics
The DISCLOSE Act
Mimi Murray Digby Marziani

Legislation requiring corporations to reveal all political spending to shareholders is a great first response, but our democracy needs more.

May 10, 2010
Disclosure
Money in Politics
The Black Box of Corporate Money
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy

The Supreme Court did tremendous damage in the Citizens United case by awarding corporations the same First Amendment rights as people. But the one silver lining in an otherwise abhorrent decision was its support for disclosure....

April 30, 2010
Disclosure
Money in Politics
Doe v. Reed: Bopp v. Scalia
Mimi Murray Digby Marziani

It remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will resolve the Doe v. Reed case--but yesterday's oral argument made clear, however, that Bopp’s fight against disclosure will not be an easy win.

April 29, 2010
Disclosure
Money in Politics

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