Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet will join members of the Citizens United Task Force on the Senate floor tonight to urge passage of the DISCLOSE Act, which would create greater transparency in elections through new disclosure rules. A vote to end debate on the bill is expected to be filibustered this evening by a minority of Senators, extending debate past midnight tonight.
“Coloradans have been inundated with attack ads funded by a small number of people and anonymous groups,” Bennet said. “Disclosure would at least provide information about who is behind these ads and bring accountability that bolsters democracy in our elections. Unfortunately, a minority of senators are poised to block progress on the DISCLOSE Act and prevent necessary transparency in our election system.”
The late night effort will be led by members of the Citizens United Task Force, which includes Bennet and Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Tom Udall, Jeanne Shaheen, Jeff Merkley, and Al Franken. Bennet will speak and manage the floor debate during the 8 PM ET/6 PM MT hour.
The DISCLOSE Act requires any organization that spends $10,000 or more during an election cycle to file a report within 24 hours, identifying any donors who gave $10,000 or more. It will require political groups posing as social welfare organizations to disclose their donors and will prevent corporations and other interests from using shell corporations to funnel secret money to super PACs.
Individuals are encouraged to follow the floor debate throughout the night on Twitter, using the hashtag #DISCLOSEVote.