Senate Democrats face a key decision on campaign finance legislation - whether to embrace a compromise floated by Republican moderates that might not survive a filibuster.
The proposal, drafted by Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, drew the support of Common Cause on Monday, and the organization lobbied rank-and-file Democrats to swing behind it. "To do otherwise will play into the hands" of Republicans attempting to "kill reform with a labor `poison pill' proposal," wrote Ann McBride, Common Cause president.Senate aides said the proposal was likely to be discussed at Tues-day's weekly closed-door Democratic caucus. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., has yet to take a public position on it and is expected to "lay out the merits and pitfalls" of embracing it, said one aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Snowe's proposal would require speedy disclosure of contributors to any broadcast commercials targeting specific candidates within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election.
In addition, it would prohibit the use of union or corporate funds for such ads. It would "simply require funding to come from sources traditionally relied upon for campaign purposes - PACs (political action committees) or individual, voluntary donors," according to a summary of the legislation.
The amendment, while it would dilute the campaign finance legislation, is designed as an alternative to far greater restrictions on union political activity sought by Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and many other Republicans. Their proposal, dubbed "paycheck protection," would give union members the right to keep their dues from being used for political purposes by organized labor.
"Workers of America are mugged every time they are forced to contribute to candidates and to causes they do not support," Lott argued on Monday, as the Senate opened debate on campaign finance legislation for the second time in six months.
The measure stalled late last year, when dueling filibusters prevented progress.
Democrats confront their decision at a critical time for efforts to overhaul the scandal-ridden campaign finance system.
"If we opt for gridlock over results, we will only fuel the cynicism of the American electorate," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said on Monday in an appeal to lawmakers to negotiate legislation that could clear the Senate.
The legislation, drafted by McCain and Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., would ban unregulated "soft money" donations to national political parties from corporations, labor unions and individuals. It also would provide fresh curbs on advertisements that attack candidates but escape regulation because they are presented as "issue ads" not covered by existing election law.
In addition, it would provide for greater disclosure of campaign donations.
The measure is expected to survive an early test late Tuesday, when supporters say they will have enough votes to block Lott's attempt to kill it.