The DISCLOSE Act moved forward yesterday, as the Rules Committee met to finalize the bill and amendments for consideration by the House. The bill, as amended, and proposed amendments to be considered on the floor, are available here. The floor schedule is reported as follows:
H.R. 5175 – DISCLOSE Act (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Van Hollen / House Administration Committee)
The rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:
Ackerman Amendment (10 minutes)
King (IA) Amendment (10 minutes)
Kucinich Amendment (10 minutes)
Pascrell Amendment (10 minutes)
Patrick Murphy Amendment (10 minutes)
Roll Call‘s report is here.
The Hill reports opposition by business groups here.
The Hill earlier reported that DISCLOSE is on track for passage today.
Van Hollen was pressed on whether the Disclose Act stood a chance of actually becoming law, given the reservations that have been expressed by Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) and Frank Lautenberg (N.J.) about the exemptions included in the bill. He cited a letter sent Tuesday by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) pledging action on the bill if it passes the House.
“We take them at their word that they are going to move forward with this legislation,” Van Hollen told the Rules Committee.
The letter they wrote is available here.
The Post report is here.
The legislation has created an odd alignment among interest groups. Among the most unusual developments was the NRA’s decision to step aside and agree to allow the measure to pass after first attacking it as an infringement on free speech, then winning an exemption from key disclosure requirements.
David Broder sees a better way here.