Union Bailout Explained

Everyone Else

Unions

Under Section 101(a): Government Contracts

Banned from engaging in political speech if in a contractual relationship with the federal government to deliver goods or services

Free to spend unlimited amounts of money to support Congressional candidates despite contractual relationships with the federal government concerning collective bargaining terms

Under Section 101(b): TARP Recipients

Banned from engaging in political speech if recipient of TARP funds

Free to spend unlimited amounts of money to support Congressional candidates despite representing and receiving dues from employees whose employer is a TARP recipient

Under Section 102: Foreign Nationals

Forced to determine the nationality of every shareholder (direct or indirect) to determine whether at least 80% are U.S. citizens, or banned from political speech

May spend unlimited amounts of money on political speech without regard to whether any dues are derived from non-citizens (including those not legally in the U.S.)

Forced to go through a lengthy certification process to certify, under penalty of perjury, the company's eligibility to spend money on political speech

Free to spend unlimited amounts of money on political speech without any prior certification

Under Section 211: Reporting Requirements

Required to report sources of income over $600 to the FEC if engaging in political speech

Exempt from income reporting requirements because average annual dues are approximately $400 per member; even exempt from reporting transfers from affiliated unions up to $50,000

Under Section 214: Stand by Your Ad

Required to include additional disclaimers in political advertisements identifying any source of income greater than $100,000

Exempt from additional disclaimer requirements since members' individual dues will not exceed $100,000