Associated Builders and Contractors is applauding a July 27 GOP filibuster of a campaign reform bill.

Associated Builders and Contractors is applauding the July 27 GOP filibuster of a campaign finance reform bill.

The bill, called the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections or DISCLOSE Act, was written to counter a January U.S. Supreme Court decision that lifted many restrictions on direct political contributions by corporations, associations and unions.

“The DISCLOSE Act is a direct attack on ABC members, and the association as a whole,” said 2010 ABC national Chairman Jim Elmer, founder and president of James W. Elmer Construction Co. in Spokane, Wash. “We will fight every attempt by this Congress and the president to silence our voices in the political process as guaranteed under the First Amendment.”

Association officials said the Senate bill would have banned some campaign activity by businesses with government contracts but not on labor unions. The bill’s disclosure requirements would have also taken up almost half of a typical 30-second political ad, ABC added.