A two-thirds majority was required for the measure to pass. Much of that money is spent on television advertising targeting opposition candidates under the guise of issue advocacy. Most notably, supporters of Texas Gov. George W. Bush were recently exposed as the financial backers of television ads adverse to his former rival for the GOP presidential nomination, Sen. John McCain of Arizona. They have a right to know who is trying to influence their votes. It's time to close this loophole.
Tonight is the first step down a long road toward political finance reform.
The Republican plan would have called for greater disclosure, but was criticized as constitutionally questionable because it was so far-reaching. The House had a real chance for reform. But we cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Instead, the GOP leaders decided to favor a narrower plan backed by campaign reform advocate McCain and a bipartisan group from both chambers. He said the administration will have to look carefully at the measure.