Jeff Miller: “by the time we are done debating campaign finance, it will probably be the longest debate the House has seen in a long…”

“by the time we are done debating campaign finance, it will probably be the longest debate the House has seen in a long time. Throughout this debate, one particular theme has resounded again and again, disclosure. We take it as self-evident that the American people should be able to know who is spending money to impact elections and to whom they are giving it. For if we have full disclosure, then the voters can take that knowledge with them into the voting box. However, up to this point the issue of disclosure has focused primarily on campaign spending by special interest groups or corporations. No one has yet tried to stand up and help those workers that provide a substantial amount of their monthly income to the unions that represent them. That is why I support this amendment. Union members have very limited means to find out how their dues are spent. They just have to hope it is being spent wisely. This amendment would remedy that requirement of unions and require them in an annual disclosure form that they already complete to specify how they spend money on different activities. As dues-paying members, union workers have a right to know how much money their union spent on such functions as contract negotiations or strike activities. This disclosure would empower both those workers currently in unions and those that are considering joining unions. Let me clear up one misconception. This amendment would not impact those smaller unions.…”