U.S. Chamber president blasts Reid on Disclose Act

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas Donohue on Monday blasted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for moving forward on the Disclose Act, a bill that increases reporting requirements for top campaign donors. 

Donohue argues the legislation infringes upon the First Amendment because it requires donors to state publicly their political positions, which not everyone is comfortable doing.

“The fact that this assault to the First Amendment is being considered as millions are desperately looking for work is a complete outrage,” he said in prepared remarks. “Despite their best efforts, there is no back room dark enough, no partisan motive strong enough, and no cynicism profound enough to barter away Americans’ freedom of speech.” 

The fate of the bill in the Senate was unclear until Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) stripped provisions from it that Republicans said gave preferential treatment to unions over corporations. 

Democratic leaders hope the changes will entice Maine Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins into supporting the bill.