On Wednesday, “a House subcommittee voted to defund a Federal Communications Commission initiative announced in April that would provide online access to spending for political ads on some local television stations,” according to a report from the Sunlight Foundation. The National Association of Broadcasters, a powerful trade group with an army of lobbyists, opposes the FCC initiative.

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), who sponsored the bill, has received thousands in campaign contributions from NAB and its lobbyists, according to Public Campaign Action Fund analysis of data from the Center for Responsive Politics.

• In the 2012 cycle, Emerson has received $3,500 from the NAB PAC and $7,500 during her career.
• Also in the 2012 cycle, Emerson has received $9,500 from three lobbyists at Mercury Public Affairs/Clark & Weinstock who represent the NAB. They include Jesse Appleton ($3,500), Brett Thompson ($3,500) and Michael McSherry ($2,500). The firm received $50,000 from the NAB in the first quarter of 2012.

Emerson will file her next fundraising report, for the period of April 1 through June 30, in the middle of July.