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May 26, 2006 -- Legal Center Weekly Report: May 26, 2006 Legal Center Calls for Removal of Chairman Oxley over Scandal
In a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), the Campaign Legal Center urged that Rep. Michael Oxley (R-OH) be stripped of his Chairmanship of the House Financial Services Committee. The call for his removal stems from Mr. Oxley "directly benefiting from the illegal fundraising activities of Freddie Mac during a period that legislation to further regulate the Government-sponsored entity was stifled in his Committee," according to the Legal Center's press release. The letter goes on to detail the circumstances surrounding the relationship between Mr. Oxley and Freddie Mac, circumstances which "strongly suggest the appearance of impropriety and possible violations of federal statutes, as well as House ethics standards."
The Legal Center sent the letter to Speaker Hastert because as the Republican Conference leader, Mr. Hastert has the power to strip Oxley of his chairmanship immediately. The Legal Center also sent a copy of the letter to the House Ethics Committee Chair and Vice Chair urging them to conduct an investigation and take appropriate action.
To read the full press release and the letter sent to Speaker Hastert, click here .
Legal Center Urges FCC to Act on Public Interest Obligations
On May 22, 2006 , the Campaign Legal Center urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take immediate action on docket items related to defining public interest obligations of digital broadcasters as recommended by the Commission's Consumer Advisory Committee. Last November the Advisory Committee recommended that the FCC Act on the five-year-old docket items within a period of six months. That recommended deadline has passed without any action by the Commission. According to the letter, "the Commission has the responsibility to set bright-line guides for broadcasters and the public that ensure the interests of the American people are represented in the digital transition."
To view the full press release and letter to the FCC, click here .
On Friday, May 26, the Campaign Legal Center along with Common Cause and the Benton Foundation, sent a letter to broadcast managers across the nation reminding them of their election coverage responsibilities for the 2006 midterm elections. According to the letter, broadcasters are urged to "give high priority to providing coverage of these elections and to finding innovative and significant ways to provide candidates access to the airwaves so they can speak directly to the voters." The letter details resources to help broadcasters determine the best way to serve the public interest and includes a guidebook from the Campaign Legal Center entitled Beyond the Spin: Practical Ideas for Engaging Candidates & Viewers.
To view the letter sent to broadcasters, click here .
To view the guidebook, Beyond the Spin, click here .
The Legal Center has also published The Campaign Media Guide for candidates and broadcasters during election seasons. To view this Guide, click here .
Week in the News
To read a variety of this week's editorials and articles on campaign finance, please click here. |
