Senator Russ Feingold says a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in January rolled back a large number of laws controlling campaign spending by large groups and corporations, which need to be restored. The decision in the Citizens United case effectively removed limits on political expenditures from corporations and other special interest groups.
The Wisconsin Democrat is joining a coalition of lawmakers on Capitol Hill who are calling for Congress to restore those limits. They’ve introduced legislation that would keep foreign-owned companies, government contractors, and businesses that receive government assistance from making political expenditures.
The bill would also require corporations, unions, and other groups to disclose their funding.
Supporters of the bill say they hope to have it passed in Congress by July, so the law can take effect before the 2010 midterm elections.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (:54)