September, 18 2009, 04:37pm EDT
Campaign Finance Rules That Regulate 527 Spending Overturned
WASHINGTON
A federal appellate court panel of 3 judges
has overturned campaign finance rules that limit how some political committees
spend money in campaigns. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington said that the regulations limit
free speech rights to 527s.
Lisa Gilbert,
U.S. PIRG's Democracy Advocate commented, "Today's
decision in Emily's List vs. the Federal Election Commission turns
back the clock, and makes it far easier for outside political groups to raise
large amounts of funding and air TV ads for or against candidates for Congress
or the Presidency."
The FEC originally enacted the regulations in 2005, after concerns were
raised about the amount of unlimited "soft money" contributions used
to fund attacks in the 2004 election.
To rein in 527 spending, the FEC limited the amount political committees
spend for federal candidate activities to "hard money" contributions,
or to no more than $5000 when a 527 indicates the funds will be used to attack
or advocate for a candidate.
U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), stands up to powerful special interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. With a strong network of researchers, advocates, organizers and students in state capitols across the country, we take on the special interests on issues, such as product safety,political corruption, prescription drugs and voting rights,where these interests stand in the way of reform and progress.
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