U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) has introduced the Super Committee Sunshine Act immediately following the passage of the debt limit increase. Vitter’s bill would force members of the newly created Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, or “super committee,” to disclose their campaign donations of more than $1000 while they are appointed committee members.
“Given the important work this committee will be doing over the next four months, it’s just plain good government for the public to know what special interests are trying to influence the committee,” Vitter said. “We’re talking trillions in cuts, and there are already threats to increase taxes on many job creators. We need to see full transparency and accountability because these committee members will be making huge decisions with a lot on the line.”
Under current law, the Federal Elections Committee requires candidates to disclose their fundraising every 48 hours during the 12 days before a primary and 12 days before a general election. The Vitter bill would apply the 48-hour disclosure requirement to members who are appointed to the super committee created under the Budget Control Act. They would have to disclose funds raised by both the member’s campaign and their leadership PACs every 48 hours from their appointment to the committee until January 21, 2012, which is when the super committee expires.
Sen. Vitter voted no on the Budget Control Act.
