Larson Advocates for the Passage of the Fair Elections Now Act
Congressman Larson speaking about the Fair Elections Now Act at the Connecticut Legislative Office. He was joined by Congressmen Courtney and Murphy, Common Cause President Bob Edgar, Speaker of the House Chris Donovan, Speaker Pro Tempore Donald Williams, House Majority Leader Denise Merrill, and members of the Connecticut General Assembly.
ForImmediate Release
May 11, 2009
Contact:Paul Mounds 860-278-8888
Congressmen Larson, Courtney, Murphy and CommonCause President Dr. Bob Edgar Hold Press Conference on Fair Elections Now Act
Larson: "It is time to bring real change toWashington"
Hartford,CT- Today, U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of theDemocratic Caucus, held a press conference to advocate for the passage of theFair Elections Now Act (HR 1826). Described by experts as "game-changing"legislation, the Fair Elections Now Act would decrease the influence of moneyin politics and allow candidates more time to work for their people.
An original sponsor of the bill, Congressman Larson wasjoined by co-sponsors U.S. Congressmen Joe Courtney (CT-02) and Chris Murphy(CT-05), as well as National President of Common Cause Dr. Bob Edgar and Houseand Senate Leadership of the Connecticut General Assembly. Congressman Larsonintroduced the legislation with Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC ) on March 31st.
Thisbi-partisan legislation will transform how Congressional elections are financedby providing grants and matching funds to qualifying candidates to run theircampaigns. Modeled after Connecticut's successful Citizens' Election Programand public financing programs in Arizona, Maine and North Carolina, the FairElections Now Act would create a voluntary system where congressionalcandidates would limit their campaign spending to the amounts raised from smalldonors and matching funds from the newly created Fair Elections Fund.
"Statesacross the country have acted aslaboratories for reforms like the Fair Elections Now Act," said CongressmanLarson. "Connecticut's first general election under its new system was effectiveand successful, with 81% of the members elected to the state legislature usingthe system. States have shown overwhelming success in reducing the influence ofbig donors. Lawmakers are able to tend to the business of their constituentsrather than spending their time dialing for dollars. It is time to bring realchange to Washington."
"PresidentObama showed us all how small donations and average Americans can make adifference in an election. With the Fair Elections Now Act, we can bring thatsort of grassroots enthusiasm and involvement to our Congressional races."
Every member ofthe Connecticut Congressional Delegation has signed on as a co-sponsor ofCongressman Larson's legislation.
"The Stateof Connecticut has been a leader in campaign finance reform, and I was proud tohelp kick-off the debate when I was in the state legislature," said CongressmanCourtney. "There is room for improvement in federal elections andConnecticut's experience is now being used to lead the discussion inWashington."
"WithCongressman Larson's leadership as the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus,I am optimistic that, as we did in Connecticut, we can make the case inWashington that it's time to change the way we finance our federal campaigns,said Congressman Murphy. "This system would not only level the playing fieldfor candidates of lower economic status; it would also limit the influence oflarge contributors, corporations, and special interest groups in elections, andhelp restore the integrity and transparency of the entire process."
The FairElections Now Act has received support from respected national and localorganizations including the NAACP, SEIU, League of Women Voters and mostnotably, Common Cause.
"Americansare tired of their elected representatives being indebted to the wealthy donorsand special interests who paid for their campaigns," said Bob Edgar, Presidentand CEO of Common Cause. "As you know in Connecticut, ‘clean elections' putselected officials in office with no strings attached, and the public's interestat the top of the agenda."
Below you willfind a fact sheet about how the Fair Elections Act Now works:
-It's voluntary - no candidate for Congress is compelled touse this system.
-The Fair Elections Fund will be funded by tenpercent of revenues generated through the auction of unused broadcast spectrum and is revenue neutral.
-Candidates must raise a minimum level of small individualcontributions in order to qualify for the program.
-After qualifying, candidates will abide by variousrestrictions and disclosure requirements.
-Qualified candidates will receive an up-front grant fortheir primary campaigns, and if nominated, another grant for their generalelection campaign.
-Candidates will also receive a4:1 match for contributions of $100 or less from anindividual; no individual may give morethan $100; that match will stop after a certain spending level is reached, butcandidates may continue to raise donations of up to $100 per individual withouta match.
-There is no overall spending limit. Candidates maycontinue to raise funds after they have reached the cap on their match.
-A new commission willadminister the program, including the disbursal of funds and collection ofreports.
-Coordinated expenditures with party organizations will bepermitted up to an amount equal to a small percentage of the public grant.
-No contributions, fundraising, or bundling will be allowedfrom PACs.
-There will be special provisions for candidates inuncontested races (at significantly lower funding levels).
-Participating candidates could take only individualcontributions of $100 or less for their leadership PACs.
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