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Opponents of Campaign Finance Disclosure Create False Distinctions in Treatment of Unions and Corporations

The DISCLOSE Act Would Apply Equally to Both

Nov. 28, 2012 — Opponents of campaign finance disclosure often explain their resistance on the basis that such proposals are more permissive toward unions than corporations. Critics of the DISCLOSE Act (S. 3369)—the most comprehensive current legislative proposal—have claimed that the law would disproportionately require reporting of corporate expenditure over those by unions, and that it includes exceptions for transfers of money that would permit unions to dodge disclosure.

In fact, the DISCLOSE Act treats unions and corporations identically. It requires both types of entities to report their contributions of $10,000 or more that are used for electioneering purposes.

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