Congressman Dent votes for fairness in campaign finance reform laws

Congressman Dent votes for fairness in campaign finance reform laws

U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15) today praised the passage of H.R. 513, a campaign finance reform bill that will hold so-called "527 organizations" accountable to existing campaign laws and require more transparency from political groups that now exploit a legal loophole.

The "527s" are named for a section of the federal tax code. These groups were exempt from many provisions of the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, and they have brazenly ignored the spirit of campaign finance reform by raising unlimited funds for political campaigns.

In the 2004 election cycle, just 25 individual donors (of both major parties) contributed $142 million to 527s - more than half the total - but didn't have to report it because of this loophole. The organizations then run ads that often cross the line of what is generally considered fair campaign advertising.

"I know constituents in my district are often harassed by phone calls from these shadow political groups, who usually spout off distortions and outright lies," Congressman Dent said. "This legislation will force these groups out into the open, and if they are afraid to say who they are, then this legislation will shut them down."

The bill also brings 527 organizations under the regulatory authority of the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), and places the contribution limits on 527 donations that exist on all other political donations

"We often say the level of debate and civil discourse in this country has degenerated," Congressman Dent continued. "These 527s are almost single-handedly responsible for that problem. Closing the ‘527' loophole will be a major step toward restoring accountability and transparency to the political process."

http://dent.house.gov/pr-040506.shtml