One opinion deals with legal questions about a political action committee formed by comedian Stephen Colbert.
The Federal Election Commission released two major draft opinions on Friday to address questions surrounding the operation of new super political action committees, which can raise and spend unlimited funds.
One opinion answers questions from the Democratic groups Majority PAC and House Majority PAC that pertain to whether super PACs may use federal candidates and party officials to raise unlimited money from corporations, unions and individuals in light of recent judicial rulings and agency opinions. The other, a 34-page draft opinion, deals with legal questions about a PAC formed by comedian Stephen Colbert.
The request by the Majority PACs could have a huge impact on the 2012 elections. The draft opinion states that super PACs may not use federal officeholders, candidates and party officials to solicit unlimited donations from corporations, unions and nonprofits for independent expenditures. But such federal candidates and party leaders could attend events where such solicitations occur.
This advisory opinion request stems from the legality of a new group called Republican Super PAC, which announced it would be using federal candidates to solicit unlimited money from corporations, unions and individuals. The Democratic request takes on this group headed by campaign finance lawyer James Bopp Jr., who initiated the Citizens United v. FEC case.
Meanwhile, the agency is taking special steps to accommodate a media frenzy at its meeting next week. Colbert is expected to appear with his lawyer — former FEC Chairman Trevor Potter — at Thursday’s FEC’s regular meeting if the item is debated.
In May, Colbert asked the FEC for an exemption his new super PAC, which he wants to use in the 2012 elections. The exemption would mean Comedy Central and its parent company, Viacom, would not be considered to be giving Colbert’s PAC a corporate donation by allowing him to discuss the PAC on TV.
The FEC’s decision on Colbert PAC could have some broad implications affecting the media and other major political players such as Karl Rove, who has appeared on TV news shows to plug American Crossroads, a conservative super PAC with which he is affiliated.
It is unclear whether Colbert will get what he wants, based on the initial draft opinions.
The FEC’s first draft green-lights Colbert’s creation of a super PAC, but Viacom would still have to disclose any political or campaign spending not related to the show. If approved by the agency, any spending for unrelated costs by Viacom would be considered in-kind donations and would have to be disclosed.
The second draft grants Colbert his press exemption request and makes Viacom’s airtime exempt from limits and disclosure.
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