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Listening to science is paramount in policy making, argues David Primo, the Ani and Mark Gabrellian Professor and a professor of political science and business administration at the University of Rochester in an op-ed for
Roll Call, which coincides with Congress’s taking up HR 1, the For the People Act of 2021.
The bill contains elements of campaign finance reform, including stricter disclosure requirements, and a call for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s
Citizens United decision. Yet, the proposed legislation is “riddled with claims that do not hold up when subjected to scientific scrutiny,” argues Primo.
Yves here. Get a cup of coffee. This is another meaty talk with Michael Hudson, this time focusing on his classic Super Imperialism. Hudson has an updated and expanded version set to go to print soon.
Oscar Brisset:
Welcome to the first event of the Oxford Economics Society for this academic year. I’m Oscar, the Co-President of our society, and I’m glad to welcome you back for another term of exciting discussions. Although we were hoping last term to be back in-person by January, due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in the UK our events this term are going to remain online, so that everyone at home can still participate.
STEVE GOLDSTEIN: The Supreme Court s ruling in the Citizens United case in January of 2010 has had an enormous impact on campaign spending in U.S. elections. Since then, we ve seen greater influence from independent groups and wealthy individuals supporting candidates or issues. Two of those individuals are Robert Mercer and his daughter, Rebekah, and they re credited with giving then-candidate Donald Trump a major financial boost when other donors were more cautious. And though there have been reports about the Mercers pulling back on contributions in last year s election, a recent report in the Intercept indicates they are fans of Arizona s Republican Party chair, Kelli Ward. Matthew Cunningham-Cook wrote the story, and he s with me. So, Matthew, the Mercers are very influential in conservative media, right?
Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, stressed the need to work quickly to pass the next round of coronavirus relief, adding that Congress needs to work together.
For years, Democrats have railed against anonymous campaign contributions as a uniquely corrupting political force even as President Biden benefited from a record-shattering amount of dark money donations during the 2020 election.
A report published by Bloomberg News shows that Biden raked in about $145 million in donations from anonymous donors to outside groups backing him, far outstripping the $28.4 million spent on behalf of his rival, former President Donald Trump. It also tops the previous record of $113 million in dark money donations spent on behalf of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in 2012.