Taking on Citizens United: Short and Long-term Strategies To Restore Our Democracy Posted on October 11, 2016 (May 29, 2020) Challenging Super PACs Presented by the Stetson Law Chapter of the American Constitution Society THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2712PM – 1PM The Great Hall of the Gulfport Campus at Stetson University College of Law This panel brings together some of the country’s boldest campaign finance reformers for a vibrant discussion on how to connect our current constitutional moment and theRead More
Stream SpeechNow Event Posted on October 28, 2015 (June 24, 2020) Challenging Super PACs Argued less than a week after Citizens United v. FEC, and decided just two months later, the D.C. Circuit’s less-widely-reported decision in SpeechNow.org v. FEC further extended Citizens United and opened the door to what we now call Super PACs. But some argue that SpeechNow, which the Supreme Court declined to review, is not aRead More
Ending Super PACs: Is SpeechNow Vulnerable? Posted on October 16, 2015 (May 29, 2020) Challenging Super PACs Free Speech For People, Represent.Us, the American Constitution Society Boston Lawyer Chapter, Common Cause Massachusetts, and the Harvard Law School Chapters of the American Constitution Society and Rootstrikers invite you to: Ending Super PACs: Is SpeechNow Vulnerable? WHEN: Monday, November 16, 12:00pm -1:30pm WHERE: WCC-3019, Wasserstein Hall, Harvard Law School 10 Everett St, Cambridge, MARead More
Ending Super PACs: Is SpeechNow Vulnerable? Posted on September 28, 2015 (May 13, 2020) Challenging Super PACs Argued less than a week after Citizens United v. FEC, and decided just two months later, the D.C. Circuit’s less-widely-reported decision in SpeechNow.org v. FEC further extended Citizens United and opened the door to what we now call Super PACs. But some argue that SpeechNow, which the Supreme Court declined to review, is not a necessary or the best interpretation of Citizens United, andRead More
New York Lobby Day Is Needed More Than Ever In Light Of New Super-PAC Ruling Posted on April 25, 2014 (June 17, 2022) Challenging Super PACs A federal judge on Thursday struck down New York’s limits on donations to independent political action committees as unconstitutional. Judge Crotty’s reasoning, as reported by Reuters, is this: Read More
NYT reports on potential breakthrough on corporate political spending Posted on April 24, 2013 (December 11, 2020) Challenging Super PACs The New York Times’ lead story today reports on a potentially huge breakthrough in the quest for corporations to be accountable to their own shareholders for their political spending, and for that spending to be made public. Key excerpts are below. S.E.C. Gets Plea: Force Companies to Disclose Donations By NICHOLAS CONFESSOREPublished: April 23, 2013 Read More
State Comptroller Sues Qualcomm for Data on Its Political Contributions Posted on January 3, 2013 (November 13, 2020) Challenging Super PACs Nicholas Confessore New York Times January 3, 2013 The New York State comptroller, seeking to force greater public disclosure of corporate political spending, has sued Qualcomm, demanding to view internal records of political expenditures by the company, one of the country’s largest makers of computer chips for mobile devices. Read More
NBC: Election’s biggest corporate donor an enigma that gave $5.3 million; Companies have spent $75 million this cycle Posted on November 5, 2012 (October 30, 2020) Challenging Super PACs NBC News has just published a great report focusing on major examples of corporate spending on the 2012 elections. Here are some key excerpts: The biggest corporate contributor in the 2012 election so far doesn’t appear to make anything — other than very large contributions to a conservative super PAC. Specialty Group Inc., of Knoxville, Tenn., donated nearly $5.3 million between Oct. 1 and Oct. 11 to FreedomWorks for America, which is affiliated with former GOP House Majority Leader Dick Armey… Read More
Chevron gives $2.5 million to a super PAC, the largest corporate gift to influence our elections since Citizens United Posted on October 29, 2012 (October 16, 2020) Challenging Super PACs The Chevron oil company has made a gift of $2.5 million to a super PAC. According to the Washington Post: Read More
A Foreign Corporation Makes $1 Million Contribution to Influence U.S. Presidential Election (via Center for Public Integrity) Posted on October 5, 2012 (October 16, 2020) Challenging Super PACs When Citizens United opened the door to corporate funding of elections, many people expressed concern that there would be no way to prevent foreign-owned corporations from exercising influence over U.S. elections. (Campaign contributions from people who are non-U.S. citizens are illegal.) Read More