House May Limit Nonprofit Campaign Funds (527s)

[NVMojo]

As if Dems are the only ones who used this? Weren't the Swift Boat jerks a 527?

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House next week will take up a bill to constrict the money-raising ability of nonprofit political groups that emerged as a substantial force in the 2004 presidential election.

The bill to require groups known as 527s to register as political committees and abide by contribution limits is likely to meet resistance from Democrats, who in 2004 relied on 527s as a key source of financing.

"I will strongly oppose it," House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Thursday.

The decision by GOP leaders to bring up the 527 bill separately could make it easier for the House and Senate to reach a compromise on lobbying and ethics legislation working its way through Congress.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-cong/2006/mar/30/033003961.html

[Eric J in MN]

1. Two-faced Republicans.

They don't do anything substantial to limit the influence of lobbyists.
http://www.speakspeak.org/speak-blog/2006/03/30/lobbying-bill-is-a-sham/


But they want limit MoveOn claiming that will fight corruption. Yeah, right.

[Judi Lynn]

2. G.O.P. Is Taking Aim at Advocacy Groups

G.O.P. Is Taking Aim at Advocacy Groups
By CARL HULSE and SHERYL GAY STOLBERG
Published: March 31, 2006

WASHINGTON, March 30 — To many Republicans, the liberal activist organization MoveOn.org is a political boogeyman that they hope to chase off with new restrictions on so-called 527 groups.

But the pursuit may turn out to be fruitless. Like other major groups planning to inject themselves aggressively into the midterm elections through advertisements, voter drives and issue fights, MoveOn.org has already figured out what it thinks is a better, and less controversial, way to spend its millions. Its 527 — named for a section of the tax code — is being put on ice.

"Our 527 is dormant," said Eli Pariser, executive director of MoveOn.org. He said his group would predominantly operate as a conventional political action committee, allowing it to more freely mix explicit political support and issue advocacy in a way that Mr. Pariser described as "squeaky clean."

MoveOn.org might be moving on from its 527, but Congress is not. Two years after 527's burst onto the political scene, gaining notoriety by raising unlimited amounts from private donors, Congressional Republicans are moving to rein in the groups — just in time for the November midterm elections. Leading Democrats are threatening a fight.
(snip/...)

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/washington/31groups.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[bluestateguy]

3. Big deal. Money will find it's way into politics somehow

There are lawyers who are very good at finding loopholes in existing campaign finance law. PAC's formed as a result of a loophole, as did soft money, as did 527's.

They can pass whatever silly laws they want. Lawyers will find ways around them before the ink is dry on the new law.

[AndyTiedye]

5. The Want To Keep Their Money In, and Our Money Out

Pretty easy to do when you get to make the laws.

[radfringe]

4. cutting off their own nose

in trying to block non-republican groups - the GOPers will be cutting off their own 527's -- looks that way on the surface anyways

however - you can count on some big loophole being created

on edit: it also indicates just how scared the GOPers are -- if the 527s were GOP dominated we wouldn't be seeing any legislation being discussed let alone being seriously considered. And if the Dems were to raise the issue - it wouldn't even see the light of day.

GOP is afraid...very afraid

[annabanana]

6. No matter how carefully "crafted"

They can't block the fact that there are more people on our side. As more and more of the populace gets involved, our side inevitably gains...

[salin]

7. Because the known cases of influence peddling emanated from

527s... oh wait, no it was from lobbyists, and Congressional member's private charities... Glad to see that they are trying to strike at the root of the problem :sarcasm:

[NVMojo]

8. good point!