For Immediate Release
June 16, 2003
Contact Information:
Amanda Cooper, 212 998–6736
Decision Today in Beaumont v. FEC
Court Reaffirms Position on Regulating Corporate Campaign Contributions
The following is a statement from Deborah Goldberg, acting director of the Centers Democracy Program. Ms. Goldberg is an expert on Campaign Finance Reform, active in drafting and litigating reforms throughout the nation. The Brennan Center submitted an amicus brief to the Court on this case.
Deborah Goldberg:
FEC v. Beaumont is an important victory for campaign finance reform. The decision reaffirms in clear and unambiguous terms the power of Congress to prevent corporations, including non-profit corporations, from using their treasuries for contributions to candidates and officeholders. The seven-justice majority in Beaumont bodes well for the constitutionality of the soft money provisions in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which the Supreme Court will consider this fall.
The Brennan Center submitted an amicus brief in the Beaumont case, arguing that non-profit corporations that accept money from for-profit corporations should be subject to campaign finance regulation. Although Beaumont did not decide that issue, the Court did reiterate that a non-profit’s policy against accepting corporate contributions was “essential” to a key precedent exempting organizations with such policies from the ban on corporate independent expenditures.
If you have questions or would like to arrange an interview, please call Amanda Cooper at (212) 998–6736.