U.S. PIRG applauds today’s House vote on lobby and ethics reform. The bill represents a momentous step toward reining in the special access and influence exerted by powerful interests in Washington. It is without question the most significant change to the rules in a generation.

Today’s decision in F.E.C. v. Wisconsin Right To Life reopens a significant loophole that allows corporations to sidestep campaign finance rules that were meant to curb corruption and level the playing field for all who engage in political campaigns.

Letters delivered this week to House leadership and members of the Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement from a half dozen states urge Congress to “adopt the time-tested best practices” of independent ethics commissions, office and boards currently operating in twenty-three states.

Chairwoman Feinstein, Senator Bennett and members of the committee I thank you for inviting me to testify today on behalf of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG). U.S. PIRG is the national advocacy office for the federation of state PIRGs.

WASHINGTON, DC -- Groups representing millions of voters applauded the introduction Tuesday of landmark bipartisan federal campaign finance legislation that would create a voluntary system of public funding for qualifying congressional candidates. Reform advocates hailed the bill as a step toward making elections about people and ideas – not special interest money.