Manufacturing group urges House to oppose DISCLOSE Act

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is urging the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act (H.R. 5175).

“Manufacturers believe this legislation will threaten First Amendment freedoms by stifling their voice on important matters in the public debate,” NAM executive vice president Jay Timmons said.

“This bill is a blatant attempt to move partisan legislation in advance of the November elections and has nothing to do with improving the conduct of elections,” said Timmons. “It is unconscionable that these same First Amendment restrictions do not apply equally to unions representing government workers or unions with foreign members or directors.”

The legislation will curb the First Amendment rights of government contractors, American firms with very limited foreign ownership and U.S. subsidiaries. “We believe the bill’s disclosure provisions could be easily used to create ‘political enemies’ lists or to promote ‘boycotts’ – all aimed at chilling companies’ legitimate advocacy activities,” Timmons wrote in a Key Vote letter sent today to all House members.

“More troubling is the special deal that was cut that would exempt specially chosen interest organizations and exclude others,” Timmons said. “It was negotiated without the transparency the bill purports to champion and is the epitome of what Americans believe is wrong with politics today.”

The DISCLOSE Act weakens the Supreme Court’s landmark Citizens United decision that allows companies and labor unions to make public expenditures freely to advocate the election or defeat of political candidates.

The NAM will continue to educate members of Congress on the impact of this legislation and the benefits of America’s job creators exercising their First Amendment Rights. The NAM has indicated that all votes related to H.R. 5175, including procedural motions, may be considered for designation as Key Manufacturing Votes in the 111th Congress. View the NAM Key Vote letter at www.nam.org.              

The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation’s largest industrial trade association, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing has a presence in every single congressional district providing good, high-paying jobs. For more information, visit www.nam.org.