Senators
Dewine (R-Ohio), Dominici (R-N.M.) and Durbin (D-Ill.) have offered an amendment
to the McCain-Feingold campaign reform bill (S.27) that would lift contribution
limits for candidates running against wealthy challengers. U.S. PIRG strongly
opposes any amendments to S.27 that would raise contribution limits.
"Two wrongs
don't make a right. Loosening or eliminating contribution limits for candidates
will increase the political influence of the wealthiest donors and bring
more big money into politics," said Julia Hutchins Democracy Advocate. "This
amendment is an incumbent protection act that flies in the face of reform."
The amendment
also raises constitutional questions. Supreme Court has upheld contribution
limits when they are narrowly drawn to prevent quid pro quo corruption or
the appearance of corruption. Raising the limits for candidates running
against wealthy candidates invites the Court to reexamine the constitutionality
of current contribution limits. It would be difficult to claim that it's
corrupting for an individual to give $1,000 to a candidate, when another
individual can give $6,000 to a candidate - just because that candidate
has a wealthy opponent.
U.S. PIRG
recognizes the need to level the playing for candidates running against
wealthy challengers. "Rather than endangering all existing contribution
limits," said Hutchins, "the Senate should consider alternatives such as
such as free or reduced cost television time for candidates facing wealthy
challengers. This would be a much more equitable way of addressing the millionaire
candidate problem," she continued.
