Fair Elections/Campaign Finance Dems pushing campaign finance deal, by Russell Berman and Susan Crabtree Democrats seem to be closer to a final deal, but the opposition isn’t giving up. Representative Chris Van Hollen’s (D-MD) pollster, Joel Benenson, has some polling showing strong support for reform.   Chamber begins campaign against finance reform bill                          The Chamber is supposedly running a print ad campaign on DISCLOSE, but won’t say how much or where the ads are running. The ad is attached below.[img_assist|nid=139191|title=Chamber Ad|desc=Click to Enlarge|link=popup|align=right|width=111|height=150]     Congress can empower small donors, By Kevin Bogardus A letter to the editor from Progress Florida and Public Campaign's Campaign Manager David Donnelly in response to a previous op-ed – urges Representative Bill Young (R-FL) and Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) to co-sponsor. Seacoast coffee party presents “the money that drives our elections” in Portsmouth The Seacoast coffee party in New Hampshire will be hosting a money and politics event, talking about Fair Elections. Americans for Campaign Reform’s policy Director Jeff McLean will participate. Congress PACs stick with incumbents, by Cameron McWhirter and John Perry The Atlanta-Journal Constitution did an analysis of PAC money to Georgia’s Members of Congress—they’re pouring money into these campaigns.

• “The public is competing with deep pockets for the time and the attention of lawmakers. PACs and organized interests have a lot of money; individuals don’t.”-Nick Nyhart, CEO of Public Campaign

With the arrival of summer, congressional legislating gives way to campaigning, By Perry Bacon Jr. The House schedule just got shortened a week – from August 9th to August 2nd.

• “But the memo illustrates a new dynamic on Capitol Hill: The era of big legislation is nearing its end, at least until after the November elections.”

Fundraising probe may end without identifying source, by Jennifer Yachnin                                                                                                             The probe into whether 8 lawmakers made financial reform decisions based on campaign fundraising could end this week. Other Kagan hearings official set for June 28, by John Stanton Concerns President Obama’s U.S. Supreme Court pick, Elena Kagan.