January 2013

The Federal Election Commission increased the limits on the amount an individual can contribute to a candidate or national political party, as well as the overall limit on the amount an individual can give to all federal candidates and federal political committees in a two-year election cycle.

An individual can…
Continue Reading FEC Increases Individual Contribution Limits for 2013-2014

As has been widely reported, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) recently made some rumblings about undertaking a rulemaking requiring corporations to disclose their funding and participation in political activities to shareholders.  The move has been heralded by corporate governance reform groups and decried by some from the business sector. …
Continue Reading SEC Rulemaking on Corporate Political Spending Disclosure

Corporations can engage in political activity.  But they must be careful how they do so; corporations still face restrictions, such as the prohibition on making contributions to federal candidates.  As we have seen, following a line of cases culminating in Citizens United, corporations may give unlimited sums to Super…
Continue Reading Straw Contributors and Corporate Contributions

Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly of the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) announced to Commission staff today that she will be leaving the agency effective February 1.

What does this mean for business before the FEC?  As a practical matter, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on the FEC’s day-to-day business. …
Continue Reading FEC Commissioner Bauerly To Step Down

With Inauguration Day just under three weeks away, many corporations and individuals are being asked to participate in the festivities that will accompany the presidential swearing-in ceremony.  While less regulated than pre-election political activities, presidential inaugurations are nonetheless subject to a number of easily-overlooked rules.  Yesterday’s Covington E-Alert identifies three…
Continue Reading What To Watch Out For During Presidential Inauguration Festivities

Today marks the first day for the 113th Congress.  In addition to holding leadership elections, Members of the new Congress this evening voted to approve rules which, among other things, allow House Members to fly on corporate jets.  Previously, House Members were generally barred by House gift rules from accepting…
Continue Reading New House Rules Allow Members Of Congress To Pay To Fly On Corporate Jets

Before grappling with the fiscal cliff, Congress passed a rare kind of law: one that, on balance, tends to loosen ethical restrictions.  The Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012 amends a 1939 law – named after Carl, not Orrin – which prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political…
Continue Reading Hatch Act Modernization Act Loosens Ethical Restrictions