Who's Footing the Bills?

In the 2fi years since Citizens United, it’s become clear that creative accounting can in some cases obscure from voters’ eyes the dollars behind the messages that bombard us with each election cycle. (And you can imagine the barrage which awaits us as Nov. 6 nears.)

A bill languishing in Washington, D.C., aims to remove that veil from voters’ view. The DISCLOSE Act  (the acronym comes from “Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections”) would require organizations, including corporations, super PACs, unions and nonprofits (not including 501(c)(3) charitable groups) to disclose contributions of more than $10,000. They also would have to reveal the names of individuals who donate money to them for political purposes.

Some Republicans in the Senate, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, oppose DISCLOSE. We wonder why these senators want to keep voters in the dark about who’s buying all those ads.