There was no guarantee that a long-awaited House Ethics Committee report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz would ever see the light of day, especially once the Florida GOP lawmaker abruptly quit his job last month in Congress. But the public on Monday did get to read and learn the details of allegations that played a role in disqualifying Gaetz from making it through the Senate confirmation process to serve as President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. In releasing the report , the committee – which is equally divided between Republicans and Democrats – made Gaetz one of only a few former members whose Ethics Committee investigation was made public after they had resigned from office. The committee said it unearthed "substantial evidence" that Gaetz engaged in "prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use" and obstruction of Congress, including paying for sex with a 17-year-old, though he did not know or ask her age at the time. While Gaetz has been dogged by allegations of sexual misconduct in the past, the House Ethics Committee investigation into his conduct was thrown into the spotlight when Trump nominated him to be attorney general in the incoming administration. Senators demanded more information about the allegations against Gaetz as they prepared to consider his nomination, with some Republican senators demanding access to the report as some details leaked to the press. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he would "strongly request" the committee keep it private . The panel met to consider whether to release the report and deadlocked along party lines in November. Gaetz pulled out of consideration shortly afterward. In a second vote earlier this month, two Republicans quietly joined their Democratic colleagues in supporting its release. "The Committee has typically not released its findings after losing jurisdiction in a matter," the report read. "However, there are a few prior instances where the Committee has determined that it was in the public interest to release its findings even after a Member’s resignation from Congress. The Committee does not do so lightly." Here's what to know about the committee's decision to release the report. What has happened in the past? It is extremely rare that the House Ethics Committee would release a report on a former member of Congress – so much so that resigning from Congress has long been considered a way for members plagued by ethics questions to avoid public release of their alleged wrongdoing. "It's an inducement for members to exit that the reports are not released," said Norm Eisen, former co-counsel to the Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee during then-President Trump's first impeachment. "So it encourages a natural sanction of the offender no longer being in a position of public service." In only a handful of cases, the committee has determined that the information is in the public interest despite the lawmaker no longer serving in Congress. For example, the committee released a report in 1987 a few months after former Rep. Bill Boner, D-Tenn., resigned from Congress to become the mayor of Nashville . The report indicated Boner had taken bribes and misused campaign funds. In another case, the committee continued to investigate sexual harassment allegations against former Rep. Eric Massa , D-N.Y., who resigned in 2020, to determine whether other members covered up his conduct. Why did the committee decide to release the report? Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., is a member of the committee who voted for the Gaetz report's release. He told USA TODAY it was important to release the document because "the public had the right to know this sort of thing." In cases where there was a "relatively minor incident" the committee will choose not to release the report, Ivey said, adding: "This was anything but that." It was also important to signal to other House members what is expected of them as a member of Congress, Ivey said. "Our job as the watchmen for the Congress is to let our colleagues know when there's conduct that crosses the line," he said. "So that it gives them guidance as to how they should conduct themselves going forward." Others argued the panel was dealing with another problem : Much of the information in the report had already leaked, leaving the public to speculate without the full picture. Gaetz and Trump "put these issues in the public eye" by putting him up for attorney general, Eisen said. "They open Pandora's Box, some of the details came out, so at that point it's hard to close Pandora's Box back up." What was the argument against releasing it? Ethics Committee Chair Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., penned an addendum to the report explaining why several committee members voted against releasing the document. Guest and his other like-minded GOP members "do not challenge the committee's findings," he wrote, but "we take great exception" to the decision to deviate from "well-established standards" and release a report on someone who no longer serves in the House. Doing so is "extremely rare," Guest argued, and may be perceived as an attempt to "weaponize" the committee's investigation process. Releasing the report, he added, was "a dangerous departure with potentially catastrophic consequences." What does Matt Gaetz say? Gaetz has maintained his innocence and attacked the credibility of the Ethics Committee. On Monday, he published a series of posts on X with snippets of witness testimony that he argued refute the committee's findings. “Giving funds to someone you are dating - that they didn’t ask for - and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” he wrote . “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” The former Florida GOP lawmaker made a last-minute attempt in federal court Monday to block the committee's release of the findings, claiming the committee was outside of its jurisdiction. But while Gaetz sought a temporary restraining order Monday morning to prevent the report being released, the judge in the case asked Gaetz an hour later to explain why the case was still relevant once the materials were public. Monday evening, Gaetz's attorneys submitted a filing acknowledging that he "has no suffered irreversible and irreparable harm" and agrees with the judge that immediate action is no longer relevant.Kenny Pickett's standing ovation, Big Dom retrieves McKee's TD ball, Philly fans troll Jerry Jones, and more from Eagles-Cowboys broadcastpyramid game 。

Commentary: Forcing Google to sell Chrome is just a warm-up actNvidia supplier Ibiden weighs faster expansion to meet AI demand

NTPC Green's IPO attracts $1.8 billion bidse are four weeks away from the end of the regular season in the , and for now we already have , of the 14 franchises that will make up the playoffs, ahead of . In addition, there are from postseason contention, so there are still and trying to make it to the . Once the 14 tickets have a name, the battle begins for a ticket to the title match in one of the most powerful leagues on the planet. What are the Playoffs? , which are divided into two conferences of 16 franchises each: and . Each of these two conferences has four divisions of four teams each: . Each team plays 17 games in the regular season, which consists of 18 weeks, as each team is entitled to a bye week. Once the regular season is over, : the four division leaders plus the three best marks in each conference. The playoffs will be played throughout January, while will take place on February 9 at the , home of the . During the playoffs, teams will have to eliminate each other over several rounds including the , the and the to give the two available tickets to New Orleans. The postseason is played in a single game at the stadium of the team with the best record in the regular season standings; the two teams with the best record in each conference rest the first week in the wild card games, to enter action until the divisional round. Qualified teams and favorites for Super Bowl 2025 So far, after 14 weeks of play, the teams

Vikings edge Packers

WASHINGTON — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi, 84, was in Europe with a bipartisan congressional delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, said in a statement that she was “receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals” and is unable to attend the remainder of events on her trip. He did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said Pelosi tripped and fell at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall. Krager said Pelosi “looks forward to returning home to the U.S. soon.” Among the members on the trip was Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, who posted on social media that he was “praying for a speedy recovery” for Pelosi. The two lawmakers were captured holding hands in a group photo Friday at the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg.Former U.S. presidents joined world leaders and others in mourning former President Jimmy Carter after his death Sunday at age 100, recalling him as a humble humanitarian and global statesman who fought for peace and democracy during his four years in the White House and in his long and active postpresidency. As news of Carter’s death at his home in Plains, Georgia, spread across the world, others who have occupied the Oval Office paid tribute to his life, saying he had been guided by his Christian faith and his dedication to charity and kindness. They remembered him not only for accomplishments in office but for his work through The Carter Center, which he and his wife, Rosalynn, founded after his presidency to promote peace, fight disease and combat social inequality. President Joe Biden, who was a first-term senator from Delaware when Carter was elected president in 1976, called Carter a “dear friend” who “saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.” “He worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us,” Biden said in a statement. He added that young Americans and “anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning” should look to Jimmy Carter. Former President Bill Clinton, who had a complicated relationship with Carter but seemed to cement his friendship with him when he awarded the Carters the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999, said in a statement that Jimmy Carter was a leader “guided by faith” who “worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world.” Clinton applauded Carter for reaching a peace deal between Egypt and Israel, and for his advancement of environmental protections. He also praised Carter for his charitable works, including as a volunteer for more than 30 years for Habitat for Humanity, which builds affordable housing. Even as a frail figure in his later years, Carter swung a hammer and wielded a drill on the group’s homebuilding projects, solidifying his image as a man who put his beliefs into action. Carter Dignified the Presidential Office: Bush Former President George W. Bush mentioned this work in a statement Sunday, noting that “his efforts to leave behind a better world didn’t end with the presidency.” Bush said Carter “was a man of deeply held convictions” and “dignified” the presidential office. Former President Barack Obama recalled Carter not only for his accomplishments in diplomacy and domestic affairs but for his fundamental integrity, respect and compassion. “Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values,” Obama said in a post on the social platform Medium. “He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice and service.” Obama said hundreds of people would come to hear Carter speak on the occasional Sunday morning at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains. While many came to hear an accomplished former president preach, Obama said many showed up because of “President Carter’s decency.” President-elect Donald Trump noted the “enormous responsibility” that American presidents carry and said it was a burden that only the members of the “very exclusive club” of former presidents could relate to. “The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform. “For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.” In October, Trump was the only living president or former president who did not contribute a video message to Carter for his 100th birthday. Instead, on a campaign stop in Wisconsin, Trump said Carter was happy because his presidency was successful compared with that of Biden, whom Trump deemed “the worst.” Trump and other members of the “exclusive club” that is the presidency will have a chance to gather early in the new year, when Carter’s funeral is expected to take place. This article originally appeared in .Adewale 4-5 1-2 9, Klaczek 2-4 0-0 6, Joshua 4-4 2-2 13, Langford 5-9 1-2 11, Marshall 6-9 2-2 17, Reddish 4-7 2-3 12, Taylor 1-2 0-1 2, Neely 3-4 0-0 6, Briggs 1-4 0-0 3, Strand 2-6 0-0 6, Topuz 2-6 0-0 6, Adnan 0-1 0-0 0, Lindsey 0-0 2-2 2, Giralt 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 34-61 10-16 93. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

National chief urges MPs to send water bill to Senate before holiday breakCHATHAM, N.J. — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It’s unclear if it’s drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Related Articles National News | About 2.6 million Stanley cups recalled after malfunctions caused burns. Is your mug included? National News | Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump’s suite at football game National News | The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own death moves to end their marriage National News | Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor National News | Attorneys for man accused in Trump assassination attempt seek lengthy trial delay Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what’s behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey’s new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they’re looking into what’s happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it , has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she’s glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn’t buy what the governor said, that the drones aren’t a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there’s the notion that people could misunderstand what they’re seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they’re looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin’s view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That’s not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added. Associated Press reporter Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report. Related Articles

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have signed closer Jordan Romano to a one-year contract, making a short-term bet that the right-hander can return to form following a right elbow injury. The Phillies announced the deal on Monday. They did not provide the terms of the agreement, but it is reportedly worth $8.5 million. An All-Star in 2022 and 2023, Romano spent the first six seasons of his major league career with the Toronto Blue Jays. He has 105 career saves and a 2.90 ERA in 231 relief appearances. Of the 17 pitchers in the majors with at least 100 save opportunities since 2019, Romano’s 88.98% save percentage ranks second, trailing only Josh Hader (187 for 210, 89.04%). Among all pitchers in baseball since 2019, Romano’s 105 saves rank ninth. The 31-year-old Romano was limited to just eight saves in 15 games last season. He had arthroscopic surgery on his elbow in July. Romano's arrival could lead to the departures of one or both of Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman from Philadelphia. The former All-Star relievers both closed games for the Phillies last season but each suffered epic meltdowns in the postseason. Both pitchers are free agents. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024-- Curi Bio, a leader in delivering human functional data to drug discoverers through advanced preclinical tissue models, is proud to announce its selection as one of Deloitte's Technology Fast 500TM companies in 2024, an annual ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology companies in North America. Curi Bio achieved an overall rank of #123 and secured #18 out of the 70 life sciences companies recognized, highlighting its transformative contribution to enabling the development of next-generation medicines. Curi Bio’s innovative human stem cell platforms deliver functional data that enable biopharmaceutical researchers to make better informed, data-driven decisions during preclinical drug development. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122635899/en/ Curi Bio Recognized as a 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Winner (Graphic: Business Wire) "We are honored to be recognized among North America’s most innovative and fastest-growing life sciences companies," said Dr. Nicholas A. Geisse, CEO at Curi Bio. "This recognition reflects the unyielding dedication of our team and the groundbreaking impact of our human-relevant platforms. By providing drug developers tools that more accurately replicate human physiology, our work has accelerated timelines and continues improving the safety and efficacy of new therapies for patients suffering from some of the world’s most devastating diseases." Top global pharmaceutical companies have rapidly adopted Curi Bio’s biological models, driving the company’s strong and steady revenue growth. By delivering predictive, clinically relevant insights, Curi Bio’s technology accelerates the development of safer and more effective drugs, addressing critical challenges in a rapidly evolving industry. The company’s portfolio of functional human disease models spans cardiac, skeletal muscle, and neuromuscular indications, offering researchers powerful tools to tackle some of the most complex diseases beyond the constraints of costly and risky clinical trials. This approach of empowering researchers with turnkey platforms has been a cornerstone of Curi Bio’s growth, earning recognition with this award and demonstrating its pivotal role in advancing medical science. About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies — both public and private — in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company’s operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About Curi Bio Curi Bio unlocks novel workflows and delivers functional human data to inform biopharmaceutical R&D decision-making. Through an integrated platform featuring advanced 3D tissue models of disease, biosystems enabling clinically relevant functional analyses, and AI/ML-enabled insights, Curi Bio melds functional and analytical assessments for drug safety, efficacy, and potency. By offering leading global pharmaceutical end users an integrated preclinical platform along with highly predictive human stem cell tissue models to generate clinically relevant data, Curi Bio is bridging the gap between preclinical R&D and clinical outcomes, accelerating the discovery and development of safer, more effective medicines. For more information, please visit www.curibio.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122635899/en/ CONTACT: For media inquiries, please contact: Heejoon Choi Sr. Director of Sales & Marketing, Curi Bio heejoon@curibio.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA WASHINGTON INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES HEALTH PHARMACEUTICAL OTHER SCIENCE RESEARCH DATA ANALYTICS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SCIENCE CLINICAL TRIALS SOURCE: Curi Bio Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/22/2024 01:57 PM/DISC: 11/22/2024 01:57 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122635899/en

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A pair of conservative groups on Friday challenged a Maine law that limits donations to political action committees that spend independently in candidate elections, arguing that money spent to support political expression is "a vital feature of our democracy.” Supporters of the referendum overwhelmingly approved on Election Day fully expected a legal showdown over caps on individual contributions to so-called super PACs. They hoped the referendum would trigger a case and ultimately prompt the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify the matter of donor limits after the court opened the floodgates to independent spending in its 2010 Citizens United decision. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Pickleball's popularity soared in 2024 and it reached the masses in the year. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the US and its popularity is on the rise across the globe. Tennis players love to play pickleball and many of them have become pro-pickleball players. Pickleball is a hugely popular sport. Here, we have a look at 3 sporting personalities who tried their hand at pickleball in 2024 - Novak Djokovic Novak Djokovic was the most famous sporting personality who played pickleball in 2024. A month before trying the sport, the tennis legend had warned the tennis clubs against its increasing popularity. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was joined by Jannik Sinner, Barbora Krejcikova and Callie Smith in a friendly pickleball game. He could play the sport again during the Australian Open 2025. Suryakumar Yadav India cricketer Suryakumar Yadav tried his hand at pickleball with Prithvi Shaw and other members of the Mumbai cricket team during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The Mumbai teammates played the sport at the Pickleball arena in Secunderabad. Apart from Suryakumar, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan have also played pickleball. Its popularity is on the rise in India too. Becky Lynch WWE superstar Becky Lynch tried pickleball during her break from the in-ring action. She shared a pic on social media to reveal that she played pickleball. The former women's champion has been out of action since May. Becky's contract with WWE ended in May and she has been away from the company since then. While there is no update about her return date, she is confirmed to make her return ahead of Wrestlemania 41. Becky lost to Rhea Ripley in the opening match of Wrestlemania 40. Her husband, Seth Rollins made his WWE return in June. He will face CM Punk on Raw's Netflix debut. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Pickleball, Sports and around the world.

The lawmaker representing Ilorin South in the Kwara State House of Assembly (KWSHA), Yusuf Maryam Aladi, on Sunday supported and empowered over 1,000 residents, including widows and artisans. She put the monetary worth of the exercise at well over N20 million. The lawmaker gave out 20 grinding machines, 20 chest freezers, 20 dryers, 20 catering equipment, 100 hair clippers, generating sets, 20 welding machines, 20 solar panels, 20 sewing machines, and cooking gas to male and female artisans. At the event held at the Bishop Smith Secondary School, Ilorin, the legislator also supported over 500 widows with cash and food items, including semovita, salt, and N10,000 each, as part of her widow support. According to her, no fewer than 100 pupils benefit from her education scholarships with due support and encouragement from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The guest speaker, Lawal Olohungbebe, urged the youths to be wary of their contributions to the nation’s economy. Speaking on the title “Contributions of artisans to nation building,” Olohungbebe charged artisans to utilize the trending technology to enhance their productivity. According to him, networking should be encouraged among artisans, as well as improved customer-relationship practices. “Your integrity in business is unequalled and unparalleled; it is supposed to be the pride of every artisan,” he urged, adding that promptness and dedication to duty matter in business activities. The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sunday Fagbemi, while commending Aladi, said it is not always easy to give back to the source, describing the beneficiaries as the source. Fagbemi advised the beneficiaries not to sell the items, saying: “Please don’t, for the sake of the ravaging economic hardship, sell these items. Empower yourselves with them; the donor has good intentions for you to break the shackles of poverty.”PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A pair of conservative groups on Friday challenged a Maine law that limits donations to political action committees that spend independently in candidate elections, arguing that money spent to support political expression is "a vital feature of our democracy.” Supporters of the fully expected a legal showdown over caps on individual contributions to so-called super PACs. They hoped the referendum would trigger a case and ultimately prompt the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify the matter of donor limits after the court in its 2010 Citizens United decision. The lawsuit brought by Dinner Table Action and For Our Future, and supported by the Institute for Free Speech, contends the state law limiting individual super PAC donations to $5,000 and requiring disclosure of donor names runs afoul of that Citizens United legal precedent. “All Americans, not just those running for office, have a fundamental First Amendment right to talk about political campaigns,” lawyers wrote in the lawsuit in federal court. “Their ‘independent expenditures,’ payments that fund political expression by those who are not running for office but nonetheless have something to say about a campaign, are a vital feature of our democracy.” Cara McCormick, leader of the Maine Citizens to End Super PACs, which pressed for the referendum, said the lawsuit attempts to undermine the will of the people after an overwhelming majority — 74% of voters — approved the referendum last month. “Super PACs are killing the country and in Maine we decided to do something about it. We want to restore public trust in the political process,” she said. “We want to say that in Maine we are not resigned to the tide of big money. We are the tide.” But Alex Titcomb, executive director of Dinner Table Action, argued Friday that the government “cannot restrict independent political speech simply because some voters wish to limit the voices of their fellow citizens.” Named in the lawsuit are Maine’s attorney general and the state’s campaign spending watchdog, the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices. The ethics commission is reviewing the complaint, said Jonathan Wayne, executive director. The Maine referendum didn’t attempt to limit spending on behalf of candidates. Instead, it focused on limits on individual donations to super PACS, an area the Supreme Court has not ruled on, observers say. Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig, a longtime advocate for campaign finance reform, contends the U.S. Supreme Court has not ruled on the issue of individual contributions to PACs, and long-established case law supports the notion that states can limit individual contributions to PACs despite a decision to the contrary by the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Lessig, whose Equal Citizens nonprofit backed the Maine referendum, previously said the cap on donations imposed by the referendum "is not asking the Supreme Court to change its jurisprudence, not asking them to overturn Citizens United.”