Congressman Derek Kilmer is praising the commissioners of the Federal Election Commission for their unanimous vote to start a process that could lead to changing the disclosure rules that regulate online political advertising.
The step comes as lawmakers in Washington, D.C. consider measures like the Honest Ads Act, which would expose the purchasers of online political ads.
Kilmer, a 6th District Democrat, said the bill casts a light on the murky world of political advertising in an attempt to check the influence that Russia, other foreign powers and special interests exercise in the American political process.
“They say that sunlight is the best disinfectant. It is good news that the Federal Election Commission is taking a step closer towards casting light on who is buying online election ads,” Kilmer said.
“I hope this leads to the rule changes outlined in the Honest Ads Act so the public knows who’s buying the political ads they see online,” he said.
Kilmer is the original sponsor of the Honest Ads Act, which would require the Federal Election Commission to create disclosure rules for technology companies so the public knows who pays for election ads online. The bill, along with a similar measure in the United States Senate, has drawn bipartisan support.
Earlier this month, according to good government group Common Cause, more than 150,000 Americans petitioned the Federal Election Commission to start the process for changing the rules. Kilmer joined the group as they delivered petitions from their members.
