A judge can force a federal agency to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request. But, while the FOIA is pending, the agency can ask Congress to pass a law allowing it to withhold the requested information.
Continue readingSupreme Court decision on McDonnell opens worrying new horizons for corruption
The Supreme Court vacated former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s conviction, leading to worrying new horizons for corruption cases in the future.
Continue readingDeletes of the Week: The civic impact of Politwoops
Sunlight's Politwoops has powered great reporting, fueled serious discussions and even taught some valuable lessons to politicians.
Continue readingInside Spending: How Citizens United restored the soft money system
While the Citizens United decision hasn’t necessarily led to more speech about public policy, it has restored the soft money system of politics.
Continue readingInfluence Analytics: follow EPA’s greenhouse gas proposals
Sunlight put together a guide to the EPA's major greenhouse gas proposals, with links to our Docket Wrench tool where curious minds can examine some of the 5.6 million comments to date.
Continue readingU.S. image abroad harmed by McCutcheon decision
The McCutcheon decision should be an “occasion for outrage.” Unfortunately in the U.S., voters seem to have become accustomed to the very things that disgust them.
Continue reading“Mi rezignis mian usonan civitanecon,” and other post-McCutcheon excuses
Need to deflect yet another post-McCutcheon plea for cash from a needy politician? Here's a handy list of FEC-approved alibis.
Continue readingHow bad is disclosure at the FEC? Worse than Justice Roberts thinks
Justifying the McCutcheon decision on the basis of healthy disclosure is reckless when it is well known that the government isn't demanding it or providing it in a useful way.
Continue readingReal time transparency bill a real time response to McCutcheon
Sen. Angus King responded quickly to the Supreme Court’s decision in McCutcheon v. FEC today, announcing the Real Time Transparency Act of 2014, requiring 48-hour disclosure of hard money campaign contributions of $1,000 or more.
Continue readingSunlight’s Response to SCOTUS Ruling on McCutcheon v FEC
Today, the Supreme Court handed down its decision on the campaign finance case, McCutcheon v. the Federal Election Commission, ruling that aggregate limits over direct contributions to political candidates are unconstitutional under the First Amendment.
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