Panel Backs Bill To Rein In '527' Advocacy Groups

Later, Senate Democratic leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) declared: "The illegitimate process that brings this fatally flawed bill to the Senate floor should make it clear to supporters of McCain-Feingold that Republicans see this bill as an opportunity to subvert that reform legislation to their partisan benefit, not as an opportunity to advance reform."

But Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who sponsored the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, charged that Schumer's claim of a Trojan horse is a "transparent fig leaf for his flip-flop and cave-in to special interests, which is not surprising."

"You have to recognize there are some people you can trust around here," he continued. "Most of them you can. Some of them, you can't." McCain said any amendments to weaken the bill will be removed during Senate floor debate, and he declared that he and other sponsors "would not permit" a partisan bill to pass.

Schumer responded, "I understand that John McCain is upset, but he should be focusing his attention on Republican efforts to kill this bill, not my efforts to try to make the bill better by encouraging voter participation."

Senate Rules and Administration Committee Chairman Trent Lott (R-Miss.), a bill sponsor, said the purpose of the measure is to restrict the uncontrolled spending in campaigns by 527 groups that in the last election cycle totaled $585.2 million, according to PoliticalMoneyLine.

"My goal was to get a bill, and we got a bill," Lott said after the session.

Schumer and other Democrats contend that Republicans are using legislation originally intended to regulate 527 groups to create a partisan Republican measure. They say it would do so by making it easier for pro-GOP corporate and trade association PACs to raise and spend money.

In many respects, the Democratic attacks were echoed by members of the self-described campaign finance "reform community," and by liberal and conservative advocacy groups. The advocacy groups, known under the tax code as 501(c)(3) and (c)(4) organizations, are worried that courts or federal regulators would extend the 527 rules to cover them, threatening their ability to publicly comment on proposals before Congress and the White House.

"The essential thing the bill would do is remove one of the few remaining vehicles citizens have to praise and critique public officials," said James Bopp Jr., a conservative critic of campaign finance law.

Cecile Richards, president of America Votes, which coordinated much of the pro-Democratic 527 activity last year, declared: "It is clear that Republicans who control and are driving -- and abusing -- this process are intent on stifling progressive speech and undermining reforms."