McCain criticizes Dems for lack of bipartisan effort on Disclose Act

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the godfather of campaign finance reform, criticized his Democratic colleagues on Tuesday for not seeking a bipartisan agreement on the Disclose Act.

“This is a partisan bill and I’m disappointed we’re wasting Senate time on a bill that has no chance of passing despite the utmost importance of this issue,” McCain said on the floor. “This bill falls short, the American people will see it for what it is: political opportunism at it’s best and political demagoguery at it’s worst.” 

McCain said when he tried to deal with campaign finance reform he found a person on the other side of the aisle to work with — former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Minn.). Much of the resulting law was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision.

McCain called out the Disclose Act’s lead sponsor, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), for not having any Republican support for the measure.

“The Senator from Rhode Island has no one from this side of the aisle,” McCain said. “If they’re serious, they’ll approach members on this side of the aisle.

“It’s too bad, that the members of that side of the aisles are orchestrating a vote when they know full well the only way forward on campaign finance reform is bipartisan.”

When McCain was finished speaking, Whitehouse countered by saying he did seek bipartisan support, but no Republican would sign onto the bill.

McCain’s main objection to S. 3369 is that it he says it protects unions from disclosing their contributions, while forcing corporations to report campaign spending of more than $10,000 to the government.

“The Disclose Act would have little impact on unions because of the convenient form of reporting,” McCain said. “The union’s ground up, pyramid structure leads me to believe it will be exempt from Disclose Act.

“What is the difference between one $10,000 check and 1,000 $10 checks other than the effect it has on trees?”

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