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Klobuchar Calls for More Transparency in Unlimited Political Spending by Super PACs and Other Outside Groups

During Senate hearing focused on impact of Citizens United ruling, which allows special interests to spend unlimited amounts of money on federal election activity, Klobuchar highlights need to pass the DISCLOSE Act to require organizations to disclose major donors

July 24, 2012

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today called for more transparency in unlimited political spending by Super PACs and other outside groups during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing focused on the impact of the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, which allows special interests to spend unlimited amounts of money on federal election activity. At the hearing Klobuchar highlighted the need to pass the DISCLOSE Act of 2012, legislation Klobuchar has cosponsored to require organizations spending money in federal elections todisclose major donors.

“The unprecedented involvement of Super PACs and other outside groups in our political process has convinced the American people that there is something wrong with how we conduct our elections,” said Klobuchar.  “In the past both parties have supported increasing transparency in elections so I remain hopeful that we can find common ground on this important issue and restore the American people’s trust in our election process.” 

Super PACs and other outside groups have spent over $140 million in this election cycle – about twice what was spent by outside groups over the same period in 2008. According to an April report, groups that do not reveal their funding sources have spent about 90 percent of the total money spent by outside groups on the November presidential election.

Under the DISCLOSE (Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections) Act, certain organizations that spend over $10,000 on campaign activity must disclose their spending to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) within 24 hours and list any donor who gives over $10,000 to the organization.

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