Rep. Becerra Votes to Restore Transparency in Political Campaigns

Press Release

Today the House of Representatives passed the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act, the toughest campaign finance reform law since McCain-Feingold. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee voted for the bill.

"The American people deserve to know who is behind the political mail and commercials that flood their homes every election year," Rep. Becerra said. "With the DISCLOSE Act, we will protect American's voices from being drowned out by special interest money in campaigns and close the loopholes left by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision. I look forward to seeing the Senate act swiftly to restore honesty and transparency to our electoral system."

H.R. 5175 expands electioneering communications that must be disclosed under the bill to broadcast ads referring to a candidate in the 120 days before the general election, expanded from 60 days before the general under current law and requires corporate CEOs to appear on camera to say that he or she "approves this message," just like current law requires candidates do in political ads, funded by their company. The DISCLOSE Act also extends existing prohibitions on campaign contributions and expenditures by foreign nationals to domestic corporations in which foreign nationals own more than 20% of voting shares, make up a majority of the board of directors, and/or have the power to dictate decision-making of the domestic corporation.

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