Eric Petry
@eepetry.bsky.social
Counsel in the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, working to address money in politics and public corruption. Opinions my own.
Important point just now in the NRSC v. FEC argument: the Court's assumptions and predictions in past campaign finance cases have turned out to be wrong in practice. That's a big reason why Citizens United and other decisions have caused such harmful consequences for American politics.
December 9, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Important point just now in the NRSC v. FEC argument: the Court's assumptions and predictions in past campaign finance cases have turned out to be wrong in practice. That's a big reason why Citizens United and other decisions have caused such harmful consequences for American politics.
Discussion in NRSC v. FEC keeps returning to how the rise of super PACs has harmed parties. That's clearly true and underscores the need for reform, including ways to strengthen parties. But that's a job for Congress.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Stronger Parties, Stronger Democracy: Rethinking Reform
The Brennan Center considers whether relaxing certain campaign finance regulations in order to direct political money back into the official party organizations can help strengthen American democracy.
www.brennancenter.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Discussion in NRSC v. FEC keeps returning to how the rise of super PACs has harmed parties. That's clearly true and underscores the need for reform, including ways to strengthen parties. But that's a job for Congress.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
The justices' questions in NRSC v. FEC about future challenges to other campaign finance laws highlights why this is an issue for Congress to address. Money in politics is a complex problem with many facets. But courts consider these laws in isolation.
December 9, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The justices' questions in NRSC v. FEC about future challenges to other campaign finance laws highlights why this is an issue for Congress to address. Money in politics is a complex problem with many facets. But courts consider these laws in isolation.
Reposted by Eric Petry
Interesting to see the justices in the NRSC oral argument press Noel Francisco on future challenges to campaign finance law. This is making explicit how the dynamic at the Court works. Each law is considered in isolation, but the reality it’s a progressive chipping away of the rules.
December 9, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Interesting to see the justices in the NRSC oral argument press Noel Francisco on future challenges to campaign finance law. This is making explicit how the dynamic at the Court works. Each law is considered in isolation, but the reality it’s a progressive chipping away of the rules.
Reposted by Eric Petry
Exhibit A: www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Dark Money Hit a Record High of $1.9 Billion in 2024 Federal Races
Spending by groups that do not disclose their donors has increased and become harder to trace.
www.brennancenter.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Exhibit A: www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Reposted by Eric Petry
Powerful point from Justice Sotomayor in today’s oral argument in NRSC v. FEC: “every time we tinker with Congress’s design [for campaign finance law] we make things worse. Indeed.
December 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Powerful point from Justice Sotomayor in today’s oral argument in NRSC v. FEC: “every time we tinker with Congress’s design [for campaign finance law] we make things worse. Indeed.
NRSC v. FEC, happening now: Important point from Justice Sotomayor that the Court's interventions in campaign finance cases have caused more harm than good. Exactly right! As the Brennan Center argued in our amicus brief.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission
The Brennan Center and Steptoe LLP filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to reject the petitioners’ argument that limits on coordinated party expenditures violate the First Amendment.
www.brennancenter.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:25 PM
NRSC v. FEC, happening now: Important point from Justice Sotomayor that the Court's interventions in campaign finance cases have caused more harm than good. Exactly right! As the Brennan Center argued in our amicus brief.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
NRSC v. FEC, happening now: Justice Alito asks who is helped and who is hurt by party coordinated spending limits. That's an important policy question, but it's for Congress to consider, not the courts! It does not weigh on constitutional analysis under the First Amendment.
December 9, 2025 at 3:22 PM
NRSC v. FEC, happening now: Justice Alito asks who is helped and who is hurt by party coordinated spending limits. That's an important policy question, but it's for Congress to consider, not the courts! It does not weigh on constitutional analysis under the First Amendment.
NRSC v. FEC, happening now: Challengers say donors don't "launder" candidate contributions through parties because it's easier to write a massive check to a super PAC. Corruption is still corruption, even if there are easier paths for corruption.
December 9, 2025 at 3:16 PM
NRSC v. FEC, happening now: Challengers say donors don't "launder" candidate contributions through parties because it's easier to write a massive check to a super PAC. Corruption is still corruption, even if there are easier paths for corruption.
Reposted by Eric Petry
Next week, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a challenge to campaign finance rules aimed at guarding against political corruption. @eepetry.bsky.social explains what’s at stake:
Supreme Court Poised to Take Another Swipe at Campaign Finance Law
Congress, not the Supreme Court, should make the rules for political party fundraising.
www.brennancenter.org
December 5, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Next week, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a challenge to campaign finance rules aimed at guarding against political corruption. @eepetry.bsky.social explains what’s at stake:
These consequences of the Court's interventions show why judges are poorly suited to evaluating the complex policy considerations involved in regulating campaign spending. Lawmakers are much better suited to the task, and it's time for Congress to act!
December 5, 2025 at 8:28 PM
These consequences of the Court's interventions show why judges are poorly suited to evaluating the complex policy considerations involved in regulating campaign spending. Lawmakers are much better suited to the task, and it's time for Congress to act!
The Supreme Court's track record in campaign finance cases since Citizens United has been the explosion of dark money, super PAC corruption, and cratering confidence in American democracy.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Supreme Court Poised to Take Another Swipe at Campaign Finance Law
Congress, not the Supreme Court, should make the rules for political party fundraising.
www.brennancenter.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The Supreme Court's track record in campaign finance cases since Citizens United has been the explosion of dark money, super PAC corruption, and cratering confidence in American democracy.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Eric Petry
President Trump has already made well over $1B off the presidency in his 2d term. Many of the deals he is profiting from appear to violate the Constitution’s foreign and domestic emoluments clauses. But Congress needs to codify them. Our new paper explains how: www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
How Congress Can Rein in Surging Political Corruption
Federal lawmakers can protect the American public by passing a new law to fully implement the Constitution’s oldest anticorruption safeguards.
www.brennancenter.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:09 PM
President Trump has already made well over $1B off the presidency in his 2d term. Many of the deals he is profiting from appear to violate the Constitution’s foreign and domestic emoluments clauses. But Congress needs to codify them. Our new paper explains how: www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Eric Petry
Corruption is hardly a new problem, but the abuses taking place now are unlike anything seen in generations. Here’s what Congress can do about it: bit.ly/43MmpHM
How Congress Can Rein in Surging Political Corruption
Federal lawmakers can protect the American public by passing a new law to fully implement the Constitution’s oldest anticorruption safeguards.
www.brennancenter.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Corruption is hardly a new problem, but the abuses taking place now are unlike anything seen in generations. Here’s what Congress can do about it: bit.ly/43MmpHM
Reposted by Eric Petry
To prevent corruption, the Constitution prohibits the president and other officials from receiving benefits from outside influences. However, Congress must act to ensure these provisions are enforceable. Our latest report offers recommendations for reform. bit.ly/3XdgCaq
Codifying the Constitution’s Emoluments Clauses
To prevent corruption, the Constitution prohibits the president and other officials from receiving untoward benefits. Congress, however, must take action to enable enforcement.
www.brennancenter.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
To prevent corruption, the Constitution prohibits the president and other officials from receiving benefits from outside influences. However, Congress must act to ensure these provisions are enforceable. Our latest report offers recommendations for reform. bit.ly/3XdgCaq
Reposted by Eric Petry
A strategy that helped antiabortion activists in their quest to overturn Roe v. Wade could also work for campaign finance reform: enacting state "trigger laws" that challenge the legitimacy of Citizens United. bit.ly/3Xsczat
State Legislatures Can Push Back Against Citizens United
State lawmakers can fight the influence of big money in politics by passing trigger laws that would go into effect if the Supreme Court’s misguided ruling is reversed.
www.brennancenter.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:58 PM
A strategy that helped antiabortion activists in their quest to overturn Roe v. Wade could also work for campaign finance reform: enacting state "trigger laws" that challenge the legitimacy of Citizens United. bit.ly/3Xsczat
There's an underutilized tool states can use to directly challenge Citizens United and build momentum for legal change. My colleague @jayswanson.bsky.social and I write about the potential for trigger laws in our latest piece.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
State Legislatures Can Push Back Against Citizens United
State lawmakers can fight the influence of big money in politics by passing trigger laws that would go into effect if the Supreme Court’s misguided ruling is reversed.
www.brennancenter.org
November 14, 2025 at 8:08 PM
There's an underutilized tool states can use to directly challenge Citizens United and build momentum for legal change. My colleague @jayswanson.bsky.social and I write about the potential for trigger laws in our latest piece.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Eric Petry
A number of Trump’s actions in his second term potentially violate the Emoluments Clauses — which bar the president and other federal officials from receiving benefits from foreign governments, as well as federal or state governments. Join us for a Reddit AMA:
November 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A number of Trump’s actions in his second term potentially violate the Emoluments Clauses — which bar the president and other federal officials from receiving benefits from foreign governments, as well as federal or state governments. Join us for a Reddit AMA:
Reposted by Eric Petry
The DISCLOSE Act—which would require dark money groups to disclose contributions of $10k+—passed the House in 2010 and came within one vote of defeating a Republican filibuster. It's since passed the House multiple times in democracy packages. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/u...
The D.N.C.’s New Leader Seeks to Curb Dark Money Influence in 2028 Primaries
www.nytimes.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The DISCLOSE Act—which would require dark money groups to disclose contributions of $10k+—passed the House in 2010 and came within one vote of defeating a Republican filibuster. It's since passed the House multiple times in democracy packages. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/u...
My latest with @lisadanetz.bsky.social explaining what we can do to combat political corruption
America has seen corruption throughout our history, especially during the Gilded Age. But this moment is different, as constitutional safeguards are being eroded by a president unchecked by Congress and the Supreme Court. bit.ly/4mbQKqv
What Is Political Corruption and What Can We Do About It?
It hurts ordinary Americans in concrete ways, and the risk has never been greater given today’s unprecedented mixing of private wealth with political power.
www.brennancenter.org
August 12, 2025 at 5:23 PM
My latest with @lisadanetz.bsky.social explaining what we can do to combat political corruption
Reposted by Eric Petry
During the Gilded Age, demonstrations and political organizing led to reforms that reduced corporate influence over elections. Today, intense pressure from the public is needed to fight corruption and restore accountability. bit.ly/4mcMsPL
Corruption in the United States
The threat that corruption poses to democracy has never been greater, requiring bold reforms to return power to the American people.
www.brennancenter.org
August 11, 2025 at 11:02 PM
During the Gilded Age, demonstrations and political organizing led to reforms that reduced corporate influence over elections. Today, intense pressure from the public is needed to fight corruption and restore accountability. bit.ly/4mcMsPL
Reposted by Eric Petry
THREAD: This morning, President Trump and members of his cabinet announced a set of sweeping, unprecedented, and unwarranted actions to impose federal control over local policing in Washington, D.C.
August 11, 2025 at 10:33 PM
THREAD: This morning, President Trump and members of his cabinet announced a set of sweeping, unprecedented, and unwarranted actions to impose federal control over local policing in Washington, D.C.
NEW: The most comprehensive analysis to date of online political spending in 2024 shows that groups spent at least $1.9 billion, with striking differences in how candidates, parties, and outside groups used their ad dollars.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Online Ad Spending in 2024 Election Totaled at Least $1.9 Billion
The most comprehensive analysis to date shows the scale of political spending on the four largest digital platforms, as well as stark differences in strategy between candidates, parties, and outside g...
www.brennancenter.org
July 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
NEW: The most comprehensive analysis to date of online political spending in 2024 shows that groups spent at least $1.9 billion, with striking differences in how candidates, parties, and outside groups used their ad dollars.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
The question isn’t hypothetical: the president now oversees regulators with power over his own business interests. That’s a structural threat to democratic accountability that Congress can and should fix.
June 17, 2025 at 12:07 AM
The question isn’t hypothetical: the president now oversees regulators with power over his own business interests. That’s a structural threat to democratic accountability that Congress can and should fix.
I broke down how this kind of self-dealing is possible and what reforms are needed in this Brennan Center report:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Uncovering Conflicts of Interest and Self-Dealing in the Executive Branch
The new administration could use federal contracts, tariffs, regulations, taxes, and other levers of government to benefit campaign donors, high-level officials, and the president himself.
www.brennancenter.org
June 17, 2025 at 12:07 AM
I broke down how this kind of self-dealing is possible and what reforms are needed in this Brennan Center report:
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...