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September 19, 2012

Court Overturns Rule for Disclosure of TV Ad Funders 
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A federal appeals court has overturned a rule requiring third-party
groups to disclose the funders of election-related television ads. The
ruling overrides a lower court decision that said the 2002 Mc
Cain-Feingold Act on campaign finance reform likely intended to require
such disclosures. It marks a major victory for Republican-linked groups
including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Prosperity and
Crossroads GPS, which had altered their ads after being compelled to
disclose who funded them. In a statement, Democratic Rep. Christopher
Van Hollen of Maryland, who brought the initial case that won the
disclosure rule, said: "The Court of Appeals' decision today will keep
the American people, for the time being, in the dark about who is
attempting to influence their vote with secret money."

 

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