H.R. 5175, also known as the DISCLOSE Act, passed the House 219-206 yesterday. The NRA exemption is still intact, but this will affect a large spectrum of political groups.
It’s unlikely it will be heard by the Senate before recess next week, but they will push for passage afterwards. Chambliss and Isakson have both assured me that they will be voting against it, but anyone outside of Georgia needs to get in touch with their Senators immediately regarding this.
Georgia Representatives who voted for the Act were Hank Johnson, John Lewis and David Scott. I find it inconceivable that we have nobody in those districts who would be opposed to the Act, yet my understanding from one Representative is that I was one of only three people to contact him regarding it.
For all the chest-beating and screaming about it, nobody’s actually doing anything. Given all the “I’m not going to take it any more” slogans I get chanted at me all day, it’s blatantly obvious that most of these people can’t even get off the couch to call their Congressmen.
This is how we lose.
H.R. 1575 a callous, cynical, arrogant measure designed to thwart the very idea of “fairness” that its advocates claim they lost with the Citizens United decision. Even though it can be challenged (and likely overturned) in court, that won’t take place until after this year’s midterm elections.
Which is just long enough to help the re-election prospects of those who sponsored it.