Lawmakers want public data on political ads

Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) are putting pressure on the Federal Communications Commission to require that more companies post their records about political advertising online.

The FCC is currently weighing a request to require cable, satellite and radio stations to put their records online so that people can easily see which campaigns and groups are buying political ads on their airtime. “The 2014 election is projected to be the most expensive midterm election cycle in U.S. history,” the lawmakers wrote to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. “Given this trend, it’s imperative that the FCC expand its online filing requirement to cable and satellite operators, as well as broadcast radio licensees.”