Citizens United head to speak at GOP’s Lincoln-Reagan dinner Sponsors pull Israel-Moyer death with dignity bill

When Anne Arundel County Republicans gather Tuesday night for their annual fundraiser, they'll be hearing from a political operative close to the center of conservative power at the White House.

David Bossie, president of Citizens United, will speak at the annual Lincoln-Reagan dinner in Annapolis. He has been a top political aide to President Donald Trump, but may be best known for his organization's landmark U.S. Supreme Court court challenge that opened new floodgates for money to flow into elections.

The Montgomery County man has been playing an increased role in Maryland politics. Last year, he was elected in May to represent Maryland on the Republican National Committee, unseating veteran committeeman Louis Pope. He was chairman of the state's delegation to the Republican National Convention.

He was one of the first high-profile Republicans to endorse Republican Del. Kathy Szeliga's unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate last year.

But it was his role in the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision that remains his greatest accomplishment. Bossie's group had wanted to air a documentary critical of Hillary Clinton during her 2008 presidential campaign - a move that was banned by the 2002 campaign finance law commonly known as McCain-Feingold.

A split Supreme Court ultimately ruled that corporations, labor unions and other nonprofits are permitted under the Constitution to spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for a candidate.

The decision gave rise to the so-called super PACs, which have poured hundreds of millions of dollars of new money into presidential and congressional races.

Tuesday's dinner will be held at 6 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Annapolis, 210 Holiday Court,. Tickets start at $89. For tickets, call 410-224-3150 or visit www.aagop.org.

Sponsors pull Israel-Moyer death with dignity bill

For the third year in a row, Democratic lawmakers have given up on passing aid-in-dying legislation that would let some terminally ill patients legally end their lives.

The measure's two sponsors said they will withdraw their "death with dignity" bill, citing insufficient political support in the House of Delegates. It is named former Annapolis Alderman Dick Israel and Mayor Pip Moyer.

Advocates say it's a humane choice for people of sound mind who have a devastating prognosis. Opponents, including religious groups and the disability community, say it is immoral and lacks sufficient protections for vulnerable people.

Until 2009, just one state - Oregon - allowed the practice. Now, five states have approved assisted dying statutes and legislation has been proposed in several others.

Maryland first seriously considered the proposal in 2015, but it has been withdrawn without a vote each year. Del. Shane Pendergrass and Sen. Guy Guzzone, both Howard County Democrats, said they do not have enough support to pass the bill.

Baltimore Sun reporter Erin Cox contributed to this bill.

Credit: By Rick Hutzell - rhutzell@capgaznews.com