Campaign Finance Law Expert Prof. Brad Smith Testifies Before Congress

August 17, 2009

Nationally recognized campaign finance and election law expert Brad Smith, the Josiah H. Blackmore II /Shirley M. Nault Designated Professor of Law, was invited to testify on July 30, 2009, before the U.S. House Administration Committee hearing on HR 1826 and the Public Financing of Congressional Campaigns. From 2000 to 2005, Smith served as Commissioner of the Federal Election Commission, which oversees the public financing system for presidential elections, and he served as Chairman of the Commission in 2004.

To watch the hearing or read Professor Smith’s testimony, click here.

Also, Smith and seven other former FEC Commissioners, appointees of Presidents Carter, Reagan, Clinton and Bush, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Their brief calls for the reversal of two Supreme Court decisions that have restricted public speech due to complex and burdensome regulations. The Court has scheduled the case for re-argument in a special September session, to consider overruling a major precedent in the field.

Read the press release: Former FEC Chairmen and Commissioners Call for Reversal of
Two Supreme Court Cases Restricting Citizen Speech. The brief is also available at www.jamesmadisoncenter.org.