Library donor disclosure stalled

WASHINGTON, July 21 (UPI) -- Legislation that would require disclosure of contributions to U.S. presidential libraries has stalled in Congress, observers say.

The Austin (Texas) American-Statesman reported Monday that while campaign contributions to federal candidates are disclosed publicly and are limited to $2,300 per election, donors to presidential libraries can write checks for as much as they want.

Last year, the U.S. House passed legislation to require that presidential library foundations publicly disclose donors who give at least $200.

But U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, has put a hold on the bill, arguing that new disclosure requirements should begin with the next president.

The issue of presidential library contributions was thrust into the spotlight when the Times of London posted the video of a Washington lobbyist offering access to senior White House officials in exchange for a hefty contribution to President George W. Bush's presidential library in Dallas.