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Democrats Count 91 House Co-Sponsors for DISCLOSE Bill

House Democrats added 88 co-sponsors overnight to their new campaign finance bill designed to defuse a recent Supreme Court decision.

According to the Library of Congress’ online database, the new additions who formally signed on to the bill Wednesday brings the proposal’s total co-sponsors to 91. That list continues to include just two Republicans: Reps. Walter Jones Jr. (N.C.) and Mike Castle (Del.). Along with House Administration Chairman Robert Brady (D-Pa.), Castle and Jones were original co-sponsors of the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act.

Although no new Republicans were brought on board this week, Democrats were able to recruit considerable support from their own conservative ranks, including 10 members of the Blue Dog Coalition. Among the new co-sponsors are Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (Mo.) and Rep. Jane Harman (Calif.), who chairs the Homeland Security intelligence subcommittee.

Brady held his second public hearing Tuesday on the DISCLOSE Act, which Democrats in both chambers hope to pass by July Fourth, perhaps allowing enough time for implementation by the November midterm elections.

In January, the high court narrowly ruled, 5-4, in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission to throw out many restrictions on televised political advertising bought by companies, labor unions, trade associations and other nonprofit organizations. The legislation would enhance disclosure requirements and ban Troubled Asset Relief Program recipients, foreign companies and government contractors from buying the ads.

The DISCLOSE Act was introduced by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) on April 29.

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