NCJW Disappointed at Senate Filibuster on DISCLOSE Act
July 16, 2012, Washington, DC — The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today expressed its deep disappointment that the US Senate will not consider passage of the DISCLOSE Act, a measure that would require disclosure of the identity of political contributors and the amounts they give. NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman released the following statement:
“The failure of the Senate to muster the 60 votes needed to end a filibuster and make way for debate on the DISCLOSE Act, a bill that would require disclosure of the names of political contributors, including corporations, and the amounts they give to each campaign, is a major setback for our democracy. NCJW has long supported openness in our political process and works to ensure that voters have all the information they need to assess the claims made during campaigns, including who gives to what and how much. We endorsed the DISCLOSE Act in November 2010. Today’s defeat of this bill without an up or down vote is a sad commentary on the collapse of the post-Watergate consensus that anonymous cash in elections is a dangerous thing.
“The DISCLOSE Act would make CEOs and other leaders take responsibility for their ads; prevent foreign influence in US elections; permit corporate shareholders and organizational members to know where their money goes; and prevent the expenditure of taxpayer funds by government contractors on political ads, among other goals. It would go at least part way toward undoing the damage done to our political system by the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which unleashed a flood of anonymous corporate donations into campaigns across the country.
“NCJW will work with our allies to bring the DISCLOSE Act back onto the national agenda and to publicize its many benefits to our political process.”
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact: Brianne Nadeau
202-265-3000 Brianne@rabinowitz-dorf.com