This story was published by The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers will soon float a bill requiring U.S. Senate candidates to electronically file campaign finance documents, the Center for Public Integrity has learned.
Known as the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act, the bill — which the Congressional Budget Office estimates could save taxpayers about $500,000 a year — aims to sync the Senate with what’s currently required for U.S. House candidates, presidential candidates and political action committees.
But like previous iterations of the bill, the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act is likely to die an unceremonious death, buried in the docket of a Senate subcommittee. That’s because Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has previously stymied the legislation, and now as Senate majority leader, his power to shape legislative priorities is stronger than ever.
Nevertheless, supporters of the bill hope to win over converts.
“For too long, senators have hidden behind an outdated filing system that wastes taxpayers’ money and isn’t transparent,” Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who will be the bill’s chief sponsor, said in a statement.
“Transparency in politics and saving taxpayers’ money is not a partisan issue,” Tester added. “This is a commonsense step that will improve our broken campaign finance system.”
Already, Tester has earned a few new allies.
At least three of the 12 newly elected Republican senators tell the Center for Public Integrity they’re sympathetic, as is Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., the sole new Democratic freshman senator.
“It’s time to bring Senate campaign reporting into the 21st century,” Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., said in a statement.
Gardner added that it was “long past time for the Senate to be held to the same standard” as the U.S. House of Representatives, where Gardner previously served for four years and where candidates must, by law, e-file their campaign finance reports.
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., will also be supporting the new e-filing legislation.
“This bill is a commonsense measure to increase transparency and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used more effectively,” said Daines spokeswoman Alee Lockman.
Additionally, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., “would be supportive of e-filing requirements at the federal level if the implementation grants candidates and committees ample time to prepare for the new law,” said his spokesman Daniel Keylin.
Officials with the other freshmen Republican senators either declined to comment or did not respond to requests.
A spokesman for McConnell also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Lisa Rosenberg, a lobbyist for the Sunlight Foundation, which supports e-filing, called the bill a “no-brainer” that should be “a non-issue.”
Last year, the legislation was supported by more than half of the Senate, though it never received a vote on the Senate floor. This year, however, Rosenberg says, it could be even more challenging to pass the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act.
“Considering we couldn’t get this bill passed when the Democrats had the majority, I’m not optimistic that we’ll get the bill passed now that Mitch McConnell is running the show,” she said.
While it is not required by law, some senators — mostly Democrats but also a few Republicans and the Senate’s two independents — choose to e-file copies of their campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.