A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants presidential libraries to be required to disclose their donors.
The Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2015 sponsored by Sens. Tom Carper, D-Del., .Ron Johnson, R-Wisc. and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H, would require organizations that raise funds for presidential libraries to disclose information to the National Archives about donors making contributions over $200.
“Presidential libraries can help us learn about the American presidency and provide insight into how our past presidents directed their administrations,” Carper said in a statement. “This bipartisan legislation will provide transparency into the private donations presidents rely on to build their libraries and bring sunlight to the presidential library fundraising process, helping to eliminate even the appearance of impropriety.”
Under current law, there are no restrictions on fundraising for the libraries. Money can be raised while the president is still in office and contributors do not need to be disclosed.
As a senator and a candidate for president, President Barack Obama backed the disclosure of contributions by presidential foundations. But awhile back, in response to a question, a White House spokesman couldn’t say whether Obama would support a similar bill requiring organizations that collect money for presidential libraries to disclose its donors.
Obama’s library officials are releasing donor information though in a different way than required campaign contributions, without identifying information or exact amounts.
The bill would require names and contribution amounts for donations received prior to the transfer of a library to the custody of the Archives and for the Archives to disclose the donations on its website in a searchable, sortable and downloadable format.
The Obamas are expected to decide soon whether to build the 44th president’s library in Chicago, New York or Hawaii. Thirteen presidential libraries are scattered across the nation, from Boston (John F. Kennedy) to Yorba Linda, Calif. (Richard Nixon).
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