Dems React to SCOTUS Decision

The Dems are not happy about the Supreme Court's decision to ease restrictions on corporate campaign donations. The Hill reports that Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who chairs the Senate Rules Committee, plans to "hold hearings to explore ways to limit corporate spending on elections," and the Senate hopes to pass legislation before mid-term elections this year.

Meanwhile, the White House released a statement condemning the decision and vowing to work with Congressional Dems to pass legislation to undercut the change:

With its ruling today, the Supreme Court has given a green light to a new stampede of special interest money in our politics. It is a major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans. This ruling gives the special interests and their lobbyists even more power in Washington--while undermining the influence of average Americans who make small contributions to support their preferred candidates. That's why I am instructing my Administration to get to work immediately with Congress on this issue. We are going to talk with bipartisan Congressional leaders to develop a forceful response to this decision. The public interest requires nothing less.

Call me cynical, but I imagine the real principle at work here is not some heartfelt concern for average Americans but the fact that corporate donations generally go to Republicans—and if new regulations aren't put in place to halt the impending windfall into GOP coffers, the Democrats are going to struggle mightily to get (re)elected.

Nonetheless, this is still good news.