FEC Okays SEIU Threats for PAC Contributions

As the Federal Election Commission (FEC) scans the political landscape scrutinizing tea party activist and most every other citizen who participates in this year’s federal elections, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) got a “a get out of jail free card” to ignore and flout campaign finance regulations. At the FEC, the foxes are apparently already in the henhouse even before President Obama’s politically charged SEIU lawyer John Sullivan (Obama FEC nominee who was involved in Clinton-Teamsters-DNC campaign scandal) arrives to serve as one of six FEC commissioners.

It seems no matter where you these days it is easy to find another rule of law or procedure bent by this government to the benefit of SEIU.

FEC law specifically prohibits threats of financial reprisals in an effort to obtain PAC (Political Action Committee) contributions. Not only does SEIU threaten every local member that their PAC contributions must meet SEIU national Headquarters’ goal; SEIU brazenly made it a part of the union’s constitution.

Under this scheme, SEIU political planners notify each local of its PAC contribution goal. If that PAC goal is not achieved, then the local receives a reduction in its allocation of forced dues money equal to the PAC shortage plus 50%. Looks like threats with financial reprisals.

National Right To Work President Mark Mix Op-Ed in the Washington Examiner, described it this way:

Imagine the outcry if McDonalds executives demanded that each franchise owner collect “voluntary” contributions totaling $25,000 for the company’s Political Action Committee (PAC) from the owner’s employees.

What if the fast food titan’s headquarters followed up with a threat – pay us, or face a $37,500 fine? Do you think this heavy-handed scheme would raise a few eyebrows at the Federal Election Commission (FEC)? [You betcha it would.]

Replace “McDonalds” with “SEIU” in that description and you’ve got a pretty good idea of Big Labor’s latest political fundraising strategy. To meet their ambitious fundraising targets, SEIU bosses are now threatening to fine any local affiliate that doesn’t meet its PAC contribution requirements.

Not only did the FEC ignore FEC rules in dismissing of the NRTW complaint; it hid its reasoning for dismissing the complaint until well past the 60-day deadline, thus prohibiting the National Right To Work Legal Defense Foundation an opportunity to challenge the FEC dismissal in U.S. District Court.

For some, rules do not apply.