Day: July 27, 2007

The House on Thursday voted to prevent the Justice Department from enforcing certain advertising restrictions in campaign finance law.

The vote came one month after the Supreme Court loosened some of the legal barriers that Congress had placed on corporate- and union-financed television ads.

The 215-205 vote would prevent criminal enforcement of any of the law’s advertising provisions. It would not affect any civil penalties imposed against violators by the Federal Election Commission. Most campaign finance infractions are handled by the FEC.

Beset by poor approval ratings and internal differences, congressional Democrats hope to give themselves a triumphant send-off when Congress departs on a monthlong summer vacation.

“They can’t possibly do all the things they want to do,” counters Rep. John Boehner, the House Republican leader.

Perhaps not.

But Democratic leaders, seven months in power, have set an ambitious agenda for themselves for the next 10 days, even momentarily dispatching their efforts to end the Iraq war to the background.

The House is expected to pass a homeland security bill and send it to President Bush as early as today. Last night, the Senate approved the package of security measures recommended by the 9/11 Commission, shifting more federal money to high-risk states and cities and requiring more stringent screening of air and sea cargo.

The measure passed by a 85-8 vote.

House passage would give Democrats a much-needed legislative victory just a week before Congress adjourns for its August recess.