Is Super PAC Spending in Congress' Best Interest?
In July, Super PACs spent almost $30 million on independent expenditures, according to a recently released data analysis. But one reformer questions whether it's in the best interest of Congress to let the post-Citizens United system stand.
The top-spending super PACs, according to MapLight, were affiliated with Republican causes: American Crossroads, Restore Our Future and Club for Growth Action spent a combined $21 million. Liberal super PACs Majority PAC and Priorities USA Action spent a combined $5 million. (Check out the data MapLight compiled and analyzed from the FEC here.)
Nearly 90 percent of the spending came from just these five groups.
Campaign finance reformers argue that this kind of spending is corrosive to American politics, and while it's true that recent attempts at reform have failed in Congress, lawmakers have no incentive to leave the current system in place, suggested one campaign finance reformer.
"I don't believe that members of Congress like the idea of political drones dive-bombing into their elections with millions and millions of dollars and not having any way to protect themselves against it," said Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer in a recent phone interview.
What do you think the future of campaign finance reform is? Let us know in the comments section below.
The top-spending super PACs, according to MapLight, were affiliated with Republican causes: American Crossroads, Restore Our Future and Club for Growth Action spent a combined $21 million. Liberal super PACs Majority PAC and Priorities USA Action spent a combined $5 million. (Check out the data MapLight compiled and analyzed from the FEC here.)
Nearly 90 percent of the spending came from just these five groups.
Campaign finance reformers argue that this kind of spending is corrosive to American politics, and while it's true that recent attempts at reform have failed in Congress, lawmakers have no incentive to leave the current system in place, suggested one campaign finance reformer.
"I don't believe that members of Congress like the idea of political drones dive-bombing into their elections with millions and millions of dollars and not having any way to protect themselves against it," said Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer in a recent phone interview.
What do you think the future of campaign finance reform is? Let us know in the comments section below.
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