LINKS
The Detroit News: House Democrats Seek to Overturn Supreme Court Super PAC Rule
A group of House Democrats led by Rep. John Dingell introduced legislation Thursday seeking to overturn a Supreme Court decision that allows corporations and wealthy individuals to make unlimited donations to political action committees.
Politico: Congress Scrambles to Delay Ethics Law
Congress moved Thursday to temporarily delay implementation of the highly touted STOCK Act while some kinks are being worked out. One worry: that the high-profile law — intended to shine daylight on the financial transactions of top lawmakers, staffers and family members — could unintentionally reveal the identity of U.S. spies and intelligence operatives.
IB times: Do YOU Know Who’s Paying for the 2012 Election?
Just 25 percent of likely voters say they have heard “a lot” about outside spending this election cycle, according to a new poll from the Pew Research Center, while a huge majority said they have either heard little or “nothing at all” about outside expenditures by groups not associated with the candidates or campaigns.
Huff Post: American For Prosperity, Koch-founded group, Plans $25 Million Ad Campaign
An independent group supporting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says it’s launching a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign in several general election battleground states.
The Hill: Axelrod: ‘Yes, I’m Concerned About the Money’
“We have a problem in that because new changes in the law that the Supreme Court ruling, Citizens United, opened up, there’s unlimited spending among these third party groups, these super-PACs against the president,” said Axelrod on CBS’s weekly online program “Face to Face.”
CRP: 2012 Candidates Have Spent Over $130 Million Funding Their Own Campaigns
A professional wrestling executive, a former coal miner and an energy investor might appear to have little in common other than the fact that all three are running for U.S. Senate seats this year. But they have another bond: All are financing big chunks of their campaigns with their own money.
Sunlight Foundation: Special Interests Honor Congress, Executive Branch with nearly $19 Million in 2011
While Congress’ public approval ratings may be dismal, special interests spent over $15 million honoring its members and their various caucuses. They spent some $3.5 million honoring executive branch officials. The remainder was spent honoring legislative branch staffers and candidates for federal office.