Access Denied

The Associated Press reports that the SEC has approved the new proxy rules denying shareholders access to the management proxy for the nomination of corporate directors.  The so-called no-access rule was adopted by a 3-1 vote, with Annette Nazareth, the sole remaining Democratic Commissioner voting against it. Here is the New York Times story: S.E.C Allows Firms to Deny Investors Access to Ballots.

My guess is that the struggle over proxy access will continue for some time.  Some shareholder groups threatened litigation if the proposed rule was adopted.  In addition, Congressional Democrats are opposed to the rule adopted, and are likely to be perturbed that the SEC acted without a full complement of Commissioners.  Despite their dismay, it seems unlikely that Democrats in Congress will muster the initiative to legislatively overrule the Commission