Terri
12-19-2003, 09:21 AM
Democrats' new campaign funding groups may face regulation
Sharon Theimer,
Associated Press
Boston.com
December 19, 2003
WASHINGTON -- Democrats who have been forming groups to avoid spending restrictions in the campaign finance law may face bad news: The government's new chief election regulator is warning that their activities could be reined in.
Bradley Smith, the Republican chosen yesterday as chairman of the Federal Election Commission, said he believes a recent Supreme Court ruling may require his agency to limit the groups' activities.
"If so, it's a huge issue. And it means there are a lot of groups already out there that would have accepted contributions beyond their limits," Smith said.
Smith, who takes over as chairman Jan. 1, said the FEC will formally decide the issue early next year when it also considers a request from a special Republican group on whether it is free to spend unlimited amounts of money promoting President Bush in the 2004 election.
More (http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2003/12/19/democrats_new_campai gn_funding_groups_ma y_face_regulation/)
Sharon Theimer,
Associated Press
Boston.com
December 19, 2003
WASHINGTON -- Democrats who have been forming groups to avoid spending restrictions in the campaign finance law may face bad news: The government's new chief election regulator is warning that their activities could be reined in.
Bradley Smith, the Republican chosen yesterday as chairman of the Federal Election Commission, said he believes a recent Supreme Court ruling may require his agency to limit the groups' activities.
"If so, it's a huge issue. And it means there are a lot of groups already out there that would have accepted contributions beyond their limits," Smith said.
Smith, who takes over as chairman Jan. 1, said the FEC will formally decide the issue early next year when it also considers a request from a special Republican group on whether it is free to spend unlimited amounts of money promoting President Bush in the 2004 election.
More (http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2003/12/19/democrats_new_campai gn_funding_groups_ma y_face_regulation/)