Reply #2: GOP last-minute campaign finance legislation abandoned

[ProSense]

Posted on Sun, Dec. 18, 2005

LIZ SIDOTIAssociated Press

WASHINGTON - House Republicans abandoned a last-minute attempt to limit individual political donations to independent organizations Sunday, setting up for passage a military measure that had been stalled by the effort.

GOP leaders had sought to attach the campaign finance legislation to a final defense bill, a move aimed at hampering Democratic-aligned groups such as MoveOn.org that were a powerful voice in 2004 and could threaten GOP candidates next year.

A bipartisan group in the Senate joined House Democrats in criticizing the 11th-hour maneuver and refusing to sign off on the plan.

The standoff had put into question the fate of the bill that sets Pentagon policy and, like a separate defense spending measure, includes a ban on cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of foreign terrorism suspects in U.S. custody as well as other restrictions on detainee interrogation and prosecution.

It would have been the first time in more than 40 years Congress would have failed to send the president an authorization bill setting Pentagon policy.

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/politics/13438482.htm