In a delicious bit of irony, Mr. McConnell needs Democratic support to pass his rider, because the Tea Party mavericks are opposing him. They say the extra cash would chiefly benefit establishment candidates, not Tea Party members, who are financed by super PACs and grass-roots donors outside the national party apparatus.
This week, more than 100 Democrats signed a letter announcing their intentions to oppose the campaign finance riders. The spending bill is the last legislation Congress will consider before lawmakers go home for the holiday recess. Democrats should do the right thing and strip these four bad riders from the bill.