FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2010
Contact: AARP Media Relations, media@aarp.org, 202-434-2560
AARP Statement on Candidate Advocacy, DISCLOSE Act
WASHINGTON— AARP spokesperson Jim Dau released this statement in response to recent media reports inaccurately linking AARP to the political campaign disclosure legislation currently being debated in Congress:
“AARP hasn’t been involved at all in the process. We haven’t taken a position on the bill, and we have not lobbied on either the underlying legislation or the proposed exemption. We haven’t even seen the final language beyond what’s being reported. From what we understand of the exemption, it’s a moot point. AARP does not engage in express candidate advocacy. We don’t endorse candidates, make political contributions, or—more relevant to the DISCLOSE Act—do any election-based advertising for or against any candidate or party. Simply put, AARP just doesn’t engage in the kind of express advocacy activities that would, according to press reports, receive an exemption in the new bill.
“We appreciate and have generally supported government transparency throughout our history, and we’ll continue to follow the lobbying disclosure requirements that cover what we actually do.”
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.7 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
