To: The United States House of Representatives
Tell Congress to Reject Hidden Attempt to Protect Dark Money
Reject the many amendments to protect Dark Money from regulation that House leaders shamefully buried in the 2016 Appropriations bill. Vote "no" on any bill with outrageous permanent restrictions on the ability of the SEC, IRS, or President to require reasonable disclosure of political spending.
Why is this important?
Faced with a flood of secret money in every aspect of politics – and the pressure of regular Americans like you who just want to know the truth – the U.S. House Leadership chose to protect Dark Money.
They advanced a 2016 Appropriations bill in which they hid multiple amendments specifically blocking the current and future President, SEC and the IRS from increasing disclosure. They surreptitiously buried these items in the bill because – just like secretive Big Money donors – they don’t want voters to know what they're doing.
One amendment blocks any action or even presidential executive order requiring government contractors to disclose political spending. Another bars the IRS from reining in the massive abuse of non-profits to funnel money to partisan activities. Another bars the SEC from requiring publicly traded companies to disclose their political spending to stockholders or voters.
These amendments are an insult to voters. Worse, they put Dark Money beyond the reach of the law and prevent disclosure vital to democracy. Tell the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose the bill until these shameful shadowy amendments are removed.
They advanced a 2016 Appropriations bill in which they hid multiple amendments specifically blocking the current and future President, SEC and the IRS from increasing disclosure. They surreptitiously buried these items in the bill because – just like secretive Big Money donors – they don’t want voters to know what they're doing.
One amendment blocks any action or even presidential executive order requiring government contractors to disclose political spending. Another bars the IRS from reining in the massive abuse of non-profits to funnel money to partisan activities. Another bars the SEC from requiring publicly traded companies to disclose their political spending to stockholders or voters.
These amendments are an insult to voters. Worse, they put Dark Money beyond the reach of the law and prevent disclosure vital to democracy. Tell the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose the bill until these shameful shadowy amendments are removed.