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May 19, 2006 -- Legal Center Weekly Report: May 19, 2006
On Monday, May 15, 2006, the United States Supreme Court denied an extraordinary request for a highly expedited briefing schedule by the Christian Civic League of Maine (CCLM) in its challenge to a portion of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA). Just last week, a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied CCLM's request for a preliminary injunction in its challenge to the "electioneering communications" clause of BCRA. The case focuses on an ad that the Christian Civic League of Maine claimed they wanted to run using their corporate general treasury funds and referencing by name both of Maine's senators. Senator Snowe is a candidate in this year's elections and the Maine primary is scheduled for June 13th.
BCRA's electioneering communications provisions prohibit the broadcast of an ad 30 days before a primary election and 60 days before the general election using corporate general treasury funds election where such an ad references a federal candidate. The three-judge court had denied the requested injunction, emphasizing that the CCLM plaintiffs could run their broadcast ad using PAC funds or use general treasury funds if they simply removed the specific reference to Senator Snowe.
The Legal Center is serving as counsel in the case along with Democracy 21. University of Virginia law professor Dan Ortiz is also serving as legal counsel in the case, along with attorneys at the law firms: Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr; Heller Ehrman; and Munger Tolles and Olson.
To read a copy of the Supreme Court order, click here.
To view the case documents in CCLM v. FEC, click here.
To view the Legal Center's press release, click here.
Over the past several months, the Legal Center along with the Congressional Ethics Coalition has carefully watched and participated in the progress of the ethics and lobbying reforms bills on the Hill. With the passage of both bills, the Legal Center has compiled a side-by-side comparison of the House (HR 4975) and Senate (S 2349) lobbying reform bills as compared to current law.
To view the side by side comparison, click here .
To view the Six Benchmarks for Reform issued by the Congressional Ethics Coalition, click here .
Legal Center Adds a New Attorney & a Communications Director
The Campaign Legal Center expanded its legal and communications staffs. Eva Howe joins the Center as an Associate Legal Counsel, and David Vance will assume the role of Communications and Research Director.
According to the press release, Trevor Potter , president of the Legal Center stated, "The additions of Eva and David will bolster our existing staff and help us to further the goals of the Campaign Legal Center ."
In addition to working with the Center's litigation team, Ms. Howe will also contribute to the government ethics and lobbying reform initiatives. Mr. Vance will oversee the Center's public and media relations outreach and research projects.
To read the full press release, click here .
To read more about the Legal Center staff, click here .
Week in the News
To read a variety of this week's editorials and articles on campaign finance, please click here. |
