LAKE ARIEL, PA — U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) has reintroduced legislation that would force corporations to be more transparent about political activities and prohibit organizations from abusing their tax-exempt status.

The Openness in Political Expenditures Now (OPEN) Act would protect the integrity of U.S. elections by requiring corporations to disclose political spending in their regular reports to shareholders. This bill would also cap political spending by tax-exempt organizations that currently do not have to disclose their donors. Cartwright said this will prevent groups from using their tax-exempt status to funnel millions of dollars into U.S. elections at the taxpayer’s expense.

“Voters should set the terms of political debate in this country, not large corporations or dark money special interest groups,” said Cartwright, a Democrat. “That’s why I believe it’s time to shine a light on corporate political spending. Americans deserve to know who is paying to influence our elections.”

In January 2010, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, declared that the government may not prohibit political spending by corporations in candidate elections. However, then-Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s court opinion stated that “the government may regulate corporate political speech through disclaimer and disclosure requirements.”

Co-sponsors in the House are Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) and Adam Schiff (CA-30). Both are Democrats.

This legislation is endorsed by Common Cause, End Citizens United/Let America Vote, and Public Citizen.

“With multi-national corporations spending millions of dollars in secret political money in recent years, all Americans deserve to know who is trying to influence our voices and our votes,” said Aaron Scherb, senior director of legislative affairs at Common Cause. “The OPEN Act would require much-needed transparency and accountability to ensure that corporations couldn’t hide the identities of those seeking to buy influence in Washington. From introducing the OPEN Act and the Time Off to Vote Act, as well as his strong support for the Freedom to Vote Act, Common Cause commends Representative Cartwright for his longstanding leadership on democracy reform issues.”

Cartwright represents all of Wayne, Pike, and Lackawanna counties, along with portions of Luzerne and Monroe counties.