Overhead view of Sacramento

Congresswoman Matsui Joins Democratic Colleagues in Introducing DISCLOSE Act for 112th Congress

October 4, 2017
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 10, 2012

CONTACT: ALANA JUTEAU
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Joins Democratic Colleagues in Introducing DISCLOSE Act for 112th Congress
Cosponsors Bill to Disclose Special Interest Money in Elections

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) has signed on as an original cosponsor to the DISCLOSE 2012 Act (H.R. 4010), legislation introduced this week that responds to the Citizens United v. FEC decision by requiring the disclosure of the corporate and special interest money in politics.

I am pleased to join with my Democratic colleagues in introducing the DISCLOSE 2012 Act. This legislation takes a significant step in political disclosure, and getting unlimited, secret money out of politics, said Congresswoman Matsui. The American people have a right to know where the money that is being spent to influence our elections is coming from. The reforms in this bill are critical in helping to clean up Washington and ensuring that government is working for the people, not for special interests.

The Supreme Court's Citizens United decision opened the floodgates to unrestricted special interest campaign spending in American elections permitting corporations to spend unlimited funds, directly or through third parties and Political Action Committees organized for those purposes, to influence Federal elections and opened the door for the emergence of Super PACs.

To shine the light on this money in politics, the DISCLOSE 2012 Act will:

  • Require public reporting by corporations, unions, Super PACs and other outside groups to the Federal Election Commission within 24 hours of making a campaign expenditure or transferring funds to other groups for campaign-related activity (of $10,000 or more).
  • Require corporations and other outside groups to stand by their campaign ads -- with their leader and top financial contributors disclosed in the ads.
  • Require corporations and other outside groups to disclose campaign-related spending to shareholders and organization members.
  • Require lobbyists to disclose campaign-related expenditures in conjunction with their lobbying activities.

In 2010, during the 111th Congress, Republicans blocked the DISCLOSE Act from passage. In the last two years, Super PACs have been able to raise about $181 million, with roughly 20 percent coming from corporations.

Matsui added, Government should be by the people and for the people, not for corporations, special interests, and the super rich. Democrats are uniting to fight for a new era of government that is free from special interests one that will work for all Americans.

For a summary of the DISCLOSE 2012 Act, click here.

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