Thursday, January 11, 2007

Campaign Finance Not Considered for Senate Ethics Reform

While still debating and crafting amendments to S.1, some lawmakers are trying to use the opportunity to attach campaign finance issues to the ethics and lobbying bill. However, Democratic leaders have decided in order to pass the strongest bill as quickly as possible, campaign finance matters must be delayed. One such attempt was Senator Feingold's introduction of S.223, for mandatory electronic campaign filing. Despite being a necessary and seemingly uncontroversial item, it remains to be ungermane. Hopefully, if not included as an amendement to the ethics bill, it will be dealt with again soon. This DailyKos blog is rallying support for the provision. Meanwhile, Senator Vitter introduced two campaign finance amendments, both voted down. From BNA Money and Politics (subscription required):

Later, the Senate voted to table, or kill, amendments offered by Vitter to restrict campaign contributions from Indian tribes and to prohibit a lawmaker's family members from being employed by the lawmaker's "leadership" political action committee. Little substantive debate occurred on the measures. Feinstein said she would opposed the measures simply to keep "extraneous matters" from burdening legislation aimed at dealing with lobbying and ethics rules.