Senators fail to file their reports online because they understand the power of disclosure. They know that any voter with a computer could pick through their reports and see that they take money from, say, tobacco- or oil company-funded political action committees, or that the bulk of their money comes from various interest groups in Washington, D.C.
The nonprofit Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks federal campaign money, is petitioning Reid to bring to a vote legislation by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont, which would force senators to file their reports online.
The bill has 37 co-sponsors, including 29 Democrats, six Republicans and two independents, although, ironically, a majority of the 37 fail to file their reports online.
“When will you bring the Campaign Disclosure Parity Act (S.375) to a vote?” the petition directed at Reid asks.
It’s an excellent question.