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Rep. Johnson blasts Republican protection of BP, corporate political influence

June 24, 2010

House Republicans unsuccessfully fight effort to reduce corporate, foreign influence in U.S. elections:

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Hank Johnson voted for the DISCLOSE Act, a bill to reduce corporate and foreign influence in U.S. elections by tightening disclosure and transparency requirements. The legislation narrowly passed the House of Representatives. Only two Republicans voted for the bill.

“Why are Republicans opposed to restricting corporate political influence? Let’s cut right down to it: Republicans favor big business. They know that increased corporate influence in elections means more Republicans will be elected,” said Rep. Johnson.

“This bill will limit the political influence of corporate miscreants like BP. Last week, we saw House Republicans apologize to BP after this Congress and President Obama moved to hold them accountable. This week, Republicans are fighting for BP’s right to influence our elections.”

The DISCLOSE Act requires corporations, organizations, and special interest groups to stand by their political advertising just like a candidate for office does.

It has been subject to extensive bipartisan debate, including six public hearings, and contains both Democratic and Republican amendments.

“I believe in bi-partisanship,” Johnson added. “But when only two Republicans can free themselves from corporate influence long enough to vote for a bill to prevent special interests from taking over our elections, it is obvious the other side of the aisle has no interest in bi-partisanship.”

The DISCLOSE Act has strong support from the campaign finance reform community and been endorsed by Common Cause, League of Women Voters, Public Citizen, Campaign Legal Center, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), and Democracy 21, among many other organizations.

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