Did Nancy Pelosi inadvertently cross a legal line?
Washington (CNN) - Did House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi inadvertently cross a legal line by asking for political contributions while on federal property?
At a Capitol Hill press conference Thursday, Pelosi was making the case for campaign finance reform and said Democrats will disclose donors to their political groups, even when the law doesn't require it.
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During her comments, she said "by the way we're asking people to contribute to us if they want to elect more reformers to Congress so we can do away with super PACs – we can do away with secret contributions."
You don't normally hear a lawmaker say the words "we're asking people to contribute" while standing inside the U.S. Capitol. The law prohibits any kind of fundraising on federal grounds.
Two legal experts on campaign finance laws consulted by CNN say she could be in violation of the law.
Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said she was not soliciting funds; she was merely discussing what she tells donors when she does.
"The comment was very clearly referring to our efforts to disclose, reform and amend. Reporters have repeatedly asked the Leader how to square fundraising and reform policy so that's why she said we have to raise money to elect more reformers. That is her pitch to supporters," Hammill said.
In fact, later in the press conference, Pelosi said "our pitch is support us if you want to elect reformers to do away with these PACs."
The McCain-Feingold Act, Public Law 107-155. is United States federal law that regulates the financing of political campaigns.
What happend to integrity ?
She was not soliciting funds , she was merely discussing what she tells donors. Geesh !
That can't be true...politicians have the highest moral and legal standards...
She thought the law did not apply to her.
Sure, she is a bought politician like they all are. I doubt anything will be done about it.
The former speaker said and I quote "We're asking people to contribute." That is a blatant fundraising language. Nancy Pelosi is no political novice and realized what she had done before she had even finished saying it. She did a great job of running the ole' shell game but, there is absolutely no question in my mind that she was appealing to potential donors.
If she did, she would have to wait in line with the rest of Congress in order to get booked.
Campaign finance laws were shot down on "federal property", so let the Justices tell her she crossed that so-called legal line.
Why should she care if she illegally solicited campaign contributions on government property, she is the mother of the King.
I really wish she would retire already.
Pelosi is one of those Dems that can do and say whatever she wants, even if it makes no sense and still be worshiped by the left. Her base is extreme left which only cares about intentions and not results.
Same old arrogant. Shd know the rules
Seems to me she did nothing at all that really would be termed solicitation. "Our" is a fairly nebulous term and not specific to an intent to direct an activity in this conversational setting
They should do away anything Karl Rove thinks is a good idea. Super pac and gps are nothing but under handed money laundering scheme. I don't understand how something like that got passed in the first place...but since it did, why is there a negative spin put on it when Obama seeks to get one. I guess it's only ok if you're republican? Hmm that's not really fair and balanced for independents and democrats is it?
Yeah, Pelosi, enjoy all that Mastercard IPO dough you have. Nice to get insider information and not go to jail for it.
What else is new with this desperate Bobble Head. She and her Messiah (the current president) are desperate to TRY and stay relevant. These two are probably, along with Reed, the biggest pickpockets in the USA.
God help us with this moronic/hypocritical leadership!!!
But it's OK for all those unions to extract money from their members against their wishes and pour it into causes the members don't support. No one need ask any questions about that, right, Nancy!
If that was what you call fundraising, then what do you call what Karl Rove did every day from his office in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?