U.S. PIRG Supported Fair Elections Now Act Has House Administration Hearing
WASHINGTON, July 29 – So far this year the finance, insurance, and real estate sector have made $23.8M in campaign contributions to federal candidates and parties.
As Congress and agencies take steps to end the free-for-all environment of Wall Street, the time has never been better stem the tide of special interest money that floods on Capitol Hill.
The U.S. Public Interest Research Group strongly supports the Fair Elections Now Act (FENA), which would make our elections about voters and issues, rather than insider lobbyists and large dollar donations.
“Despite the economic downturn, influence-peddling is still a growth industry in our nation’s capital, as large corporate donors work harder than ever to fiscally influence hot button issues like healthcare, energy, and financial reform, Lisa Gilbert, U.S.PIRG’s Democracy Advocate noted.
According to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, for example, the health and insurance interests have spent $16.8 million in campaign contributions in the first part of this non-election year to make their case on health-care reform.
The landmark legislation being discussed at Thursday’s hearing offers an alternative to the current corrosive system for those who seek a Congressional seat. Under FENA, politicians would be able to reach out to their constituents and have small donations matched by public funds rather than relying on industry donations.
“It’s time to give our representatives the opportunity to do what they intended when coming to Washington; work on behalf of their voters, Gilbert concluded.
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U.S. PIRG is the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups. State PIRGs are non-profit, non-partisan public interest advocacy organizations. For more on U.S. PIRG’s Campaign Finance Reform campaign, click here.
