Vitter Introduces Transparency Bill For Super Committee Members

Senator Vitter wants more openness after the new debt deal.

Soon after the debt ceiling compromise was passed, Senator David Vitter introduced the Super Committee Sunshine Act, a bill he says would force members of the newly created Deficit Reduction Committee to disclose their campaign donations of more than $1,000 while they are appointed committee members. 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. Vitter's bill would apply the 48-hour disclosure requirement to the Super Committee members. Vitter says 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, of next year, which is when the super committee expires.