Democrats are taking advantage of the consequences of donors distancing themselves from Republicans, with lawmakers and advocacy groups saying it is a rare opportunity to change fundraising rules and the influence corporations have on campaigns.
Progressives are stepping up calls to permanently eliminate contributions from the corporate political action committee (PAC), while moderate Democrats see an opening to win over business groups and leaders who have traditionally given much of their support to Republicans.
Major corporate donors are freezing their PACs and reevaluating their donation strategies, while others say they will not give any money to the 147 Republicans who voted to challenge the 2020 election results in Arizona or Pennsylvania last week, just hours after the deadly attack. to the Capitol by a pro-Trump crowd.
But some campaign finance critics want these freezes to become permanent.
“A temporary suspension of contributions is not enough,” said Mike Tanglis, director of research at the progressive surveillance group Public Citizen. “These corporations cannot just wait for the dust to settle and then resume business normally. Our democracy may not survive the next insurrection. “
Public Citizen this week called all corporations and business groups end their political spending operations and permanently end their PACs.
End Citizens United, a group that advocates overturning the 2010 Supreme Court decision that sparked corporate campaign spending, said companies should not finance politicians without taking into account the “harmful rhetoric these politicians spew” in light last week’s riots on Capitol Hill.
“The actions have consequences and we saw the consequences of these donations happen tragically last week, when most Republicans still voted to overthrow the will of the people after the Capitol was attacked by domestic terrorists,” said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United .
Democrats in Congress also worked to overturn Citizens United’s decision. Its most recent action was in March, when the House passed HR 1, a comprehensive bill that includes proposals for electoral reforms and more transparency in campaign financing. The measure was not passed in the Senate controlled by the Republican Party.
Other progressive groups are increasing their pressure campaigns to obtain more big corporations end all political donations to the 147 Republicans, which include top lawmakers as the minority leader in the House Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthyGOP divided over Liz Cheney’s future Democrats point the finger on whether Capitol protesters had internal help Pelosi suggests criminal charges to any lawmaker who helped with the Capitol riot MORE (California).
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
Sheldon WhitehouseSenior Democrat says Hawley, Cruz must leave the Judiciary Hawley, Cruz faces growing anger, possible censorship This week: Democrats fight Trump’s impeachment after Capitol attack MORE (DR.I.) said the renewed debate over corporate PACs is also shedding light on the dangers of dark money – funding to influence policy from an undisclosed source, allowing corporate donors to avoid public scrutiny.
“There is a well-developed and coordinated dark money operation that has been active for years in climate denial, court capture and political funding for the Republican Party. It is deeply anti-democratic and, ultimately, dangerous, and it will be a priority for Democrats to ensure that government control is in the hands of the American people, where the Constitution puts it, and not in the hands of some secret dark money donors, “he said. Whitehouse in a statement to The Hill.
Other Democrats, however, see the recent funding crisis with the Republican Party as yet another opportunity to foster stronger ties with the business community, rather than reviewing campaign finance laws.
Kristin Brackemyre, director of PAC and government relations at the non-partisan Public Affairs Council, said the corporate reaction against Republicans could be an opening for Democrats.
“Democrats now have an opportunity to reconnect with the business community and it would be wise to take advantage of it,” she said.
Moderate Democrats like the Blue Dogs and the New Democrat Coalition, which is made up of pro-business Democrats, are taking advantage of the vulnerability of their Republican colleagues.
“This is called corporate patriotism. No corporation or PAC should finance terrorists – foreign or domestic – or those who help and incite them, ”Blue Dog Co-Chair Stephanie Murphy
Stephanie MurphyLobbying world Newspaper editorial board apologizes for endorsing Republicans about supporting the Texas process Increasing the minimum age of distribution required for America’s seniors MORE tweeted earlier this week.
She later told The Hill that the GOP’s loyalty to President Trump
Donald TrumpCIA, CIA chief, threatened to resign due to pressure to install loyal Trump as a deputy: Azar report in farewell letter says Capitol riot threatens to “tarnish” administration achievements Justice Department argues that Trump should get immunity from prosecutor’s case of rape it has weakened its position in the business community.
“The Republican Party has routinely prioritized its loyalty to Donald Trump over this nation’s long-term economic prosperity and political stability, and they will have to reconcile Trumpism in their party in the coming years,” she said.
“Democrats have always been the party of opportunity, which is good for both workers and employers. If companies continue to support candidates who use disinformation to erode democratic and capitalist norms, those companies are investing in their own demise. “
President of the NewDem Action Fund Brad Schneider
Bradley (Brad) Scott Schneider The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden asks Congress to expand the biggest relief response in US history Congressman Adriano Espaillat tests positive for COVID-19 The Hill’s Morning Report – How many Republicans will vote for Trump’s impeachment? MORE (D-Ill.) He said that as a party, Democrats have always been more reliable when it comes to long-term growth.
“We don’t believe in a mythology about how the economy works and it didn’t sell us a big lie about the results of our election,” said Schneider.
Schneider said he was optimistic that Democrats could take the lead in pro-business and pro-growth policies, especially when the president-elect Joe Biden
Joe BidenAzar in a farewell letter says riot on Capitol Hill threatens to tarnish administration achievements House Democrats introduce measures to oppose Trump’s sale of bombs to Saudis On The Money: Retail sales fall at the last sign of weakening the economy | Fast-food workers strike for minimum wage | US officials raise concerns about Mexico’s handling of energy licenses MORE takes office.
“With Joe Biden as president and the New Democratic Coalition in a position of critical influence in the House, the United States will see the kind of credible, good-sounding pro-business and pro-growth policies that have been crying out for the past four years. We will face the pandemic, modernize our infrastructure and restore American global leadership, ”he said.
Some traditional Republican Party allies are even signaling a willingness to work with both Biden and Congressional Democrats, at least on some issues.
The US Chamber of Commerce, on the most powerful pro-business lobbying entities, expressed its support for the $ 1.9 trillion Biden coronavirus relief plan released on Thursday, an initial indication that the business community is ready to work with moderate Democrats like Biden.