[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEMOCRACY IS STRENGTHENED BY CASTING LIGHT ON SPENDING IN ELECTIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2010

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5175) to 
     amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit 
     foreign influence in Federal elections, to prohibit 
     government contractors from making expenditures with respect 
     to such elections, and to establish additional disclosure 
     requirements with respect to spending in such elections, and 
     for other purposes:

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 5175, the 
Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections, or 
DISCLOSE Act. This legislation addresses serious concerns raised by the 
recent Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC by increasing 
transparency in our electoral process. My colleague from Maryland, Mr. 
Van Hollen, and my fellow New Yorker, Senator Schumer deserve thanks 
for their leadership on this issue.
  The recent Supreme Court ruling grants even greater influence to 
powerful special interests--effectively drowning out the voices of 
average Americans. This legislation provides voters with the 
opportunity to make informed decisions--shedding light on the millions 
of dollars being spent with the intent to influence elections and 
politicians in Washington.
  The DISCLOSE Act eliminates ``pay-to-play'' by preventing government 
contractors--and TARP recipients--from spending money on elections. The 
bill extends the current ban on political spending by foreign nationals 
to include domestic corporations controlled by foreign nationals, 
requires corporate CEOs to stand by their political ads in the same way 
candidates must, and enhances disclosure requirements for political 
expenditures by organizations who lobby government officials.
  The legislation before us today is not a perfect bill, but it is a 
necessary first step to rein in the influence of special interests in 
our political process. The American people are greatly concerned by the 
recent Supreme Court ruling, and they rightly fear that only big money 
and special interests get a hearing in Washington. Passage of the 
DISCLOSE Act will bring transparency and accountability to campaigns 
and ensure Americans' voices are not drowned out by corporate dollars.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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