Attacks on Disclosure in Omnibus Make it Even More Urgent for the President to Issue an Executive Order on Money in Politics

WASHINGTON – In response to the release of the 2016 omnibus spending package, People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker released the following statement:

“Though our political leaders came to their senses and didn’t include proposed riders that would have turned away refugees, undermined women’s health, and rolled back existing limits on coordination between political parties and candidates, it’s clear that the deal does include other ideological policy riders threatening the health of our democracy. One provision blocks rulemaking by the SEC to require companies to disclose their campaign spending; another stops the IRS from more clearly defining political activity to prevent organizations from exploiting the system. These are wildly inappropriate additions to a must-pass spending bill, and they should be removed immediately.

“The attacks on creating a more transparent democracy included in the bill make it even more urgent for President Obama to issue an executive order on disclosure. It’s clear that Republicans in Congress will do anything to stand in the way of Americans being able to see who is trying to buy influence in our democracy. It’s up to the president to act.”

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