About Express Advocacy
Welcome to Express Advocacy, a political law blog by William J. McGinley. This website is dedicated to a discussion of campaign finance, election, and political law topics of interest to corporations, trade associations, political party committees, candidates and other participants in the political process.
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Category Archives: Politics
FEC Releases Draft Final Rules For Coordination, Federal Election Activity
At last week’s open meeting, the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) adopted revised coordination rules applicable to outside groups, and federal election activity rules for state and local party committees. The new coordination rules do change the coordination rules applicable to … Continue reading
Posted in Campaign Finance, Campaigns, Elections, FEC, Outside Groups, Party Committees, Politics, Rulemakings
Tagged Campaign Finance, Elections, FEC, Outside Groups, Party Committees, Politics
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President Calls On Congress To Reconsider The DISCLOSE Act
President Obama used his weekly radio and internet address to call on Congress to reconsider the DISCLOSE Act. He did not make any new arguments for passage of the legislation and his statements echoed many of the same ones used … Continue reading
Posted in Campaign Finance, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Internet, Labor Unions, Legislation, Obama Administration, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
Tagged Campaign Finance, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Internet, Labor Unions, Legislation, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
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DISCLOSE Act Update – Senate Democrats Release DISCLOSE Act Email
It appears that the reports about Senate Democrats bringing the DISCLOSE Act to the Senate floor for another vote have merit. Senators Schumer and Leahy just sent a campaign email stating that they intend to bring the DISCLOSE Act up … Continue reading
Campaign Finance – John J. Sullivan’s FEC Nomination Withdrawn By White House
John J. Sullivan’s nomination to the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) was withdrawn by the White House yesterday. Mr. Sullivan, a labor union lawyer, was nominated to fill Democratic Commissioner Ellen Weintraub’s seat on the FEC. Commissioner Weintraub is a holdover … Continue reading
Posted in Congress, FEC, Labor Unions, Obama Administration, Politics
Tagged Congress, FEC, Labor Unions, Obama Administration, Politics
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Internet – Blogosphere’s Rise As A Force In Political Communications
Politico published a must-read story this morning discussing the blogosphere’s significant impact on political media relations. Campaigns are realizing the need for better relations with bloggers who post on a variety of subjects that may impact the dynamics of their … Continue reading
Posted in Campaigns, Elections, Internet, Party Committees, Politics
Tagged Campaigns, Elections, Internet, Party Committees, Politics
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Campaign Finance – “Corporate Campaign Fundraising Picks Up Speed”
The Los Angeles Times reports that business and conservative groups have increased their fundraising as a result of favorable issues environment that may translate into success this November. The article highlights spending plans by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and … Continue reading
Shareholder Protection Act – Latest Incarnation of the DISCLOSE Act?
Last week, the House Financial Services Committee passed the H.R. 4790, the Shareholder Protection Act of 2010. The legislation will amend the Securities Exchange Act to require shareholder approval before a publicly traded company may engage in political speech. The … Continue reading
Posted in Campaign Finance, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Labor Unions, Legislation, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
Tagged Campaign Finance, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Labor Unions, Legislation, Party Committees, Politics, Trade Associations
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Ethics – Second Congressional Democrat Faces Ethics Charges
The Los Angeles Times reports that Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) faces ethics allegations stemming from her efforts to help a bank with ties to her husband. A source close to Representative Waters indicates that she intends to contest the charges … Continue reading
Campaign Finance – Independent Expenditure PACs Begin Registering With FEC
CQ Politics reports that at least three independent expenditure PACs have registered with the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) since the FEC issued two advisory opinions holding that such groups may accept unlimited donations from individuals, corporations and labor unions. The … Continue reading
Posted in Advisory Opinions, Campaign Finance, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, FEC, Labor Unions, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
Tagged Advisory Opinions, Campaign Finance, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, FEC, Labor Unions, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
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“Dems Table Campaign Finance Reform”
Politico reports that Senate Democrats have tabled the DISCLOSE Act for the time being. However, they may bring it up for another vote this fall if they believe they can score some political points. The strategy appears to be fairly consistent with the … Continue reading
DISCLOSE Act Update – Democrats Fail To Get 60 Votes For Cloture
The U.S. Senate just completed the procedural vote to proceed to debate regarding the DISCLOSE Act. Senate Democrats failed to achieve the required 60 votes, and the motion failed 57 to 41. We will have to wait and see if the they … Continue reading
Posted in Campaign Finance, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Labor Unions, Legislation, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
Tagged Campaign Finance, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Labor Unions, Legislation, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
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President Obama To Make Statement On The DISCLOSE Act
Politico reports that the White House has announced that President Obama will make a statement on the DISCLOSE Act today at 2:20 pm.
Posted in Campaign Finance, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Labor Unions, Legislation, Obama Administration, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
Tagged Campaign Finance, Congress, Disclosure, Elections, Labor Unions, Legislation, Obama Administration, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
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“Down To Zero For Dislcose Act”
The National Journal reports on the DISCLOSE Act maneuverings in the Senate in advance of tomorrow’s cloture vote.
Posted in Campaign Finance, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Labor Unions, Legislation, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
Tagged Campaign Finance, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Labor Unions, Legislation, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
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