Apr 7, 2006 -- Statement of Meredith McGehee, Policy Director, on the Passage of H.R. 513 in the House

The Campaign Legal Center would like to commend the efforts of Representatives Chris Shays (R-CT) and Marty Meehan (D-MA) for their leadership on H.R. 513, the 527 Reform Act of 2006. This legislation passed by the House on Wednesday seeks to close a large soft money loophole by requiring so-called 527 groups to comply with federal campaign finance laws.

During the 2004 elections, a number of 527 organizations spent millions of dollars in soft money on attack ads and partisan voter activities. Because of the Federal Election Commission's refusal to enact common sense regulations, these 527 organizations operate with impunity - creating enormous inequities as candidates, political parties and registered PACs play by one set of rules and the 527 groups play by another. By their own identification, 527 groups are in the business of trying to influence the outcome of elections.

While we have concerns about the amendment added in committee that would repeal the coordinated spending limits for parties, we believed it was important to move this legislation forward. We urge the Senate to pass the 527 legislation, to reject any "poison pill" amendments that would undermine existing campaign finance laws, and to put good public policy before short-term partisan interest.

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