Congresswoman Ramirez Introduces Campaign Finance Reform Legislative Package

Washington, DC-Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), co-chair of the Strengthening Democracy Task Force and a Common Cause alumna, introduced two landmark pieces of legislation to protect our democracy from money in politics. The Campaign Transparency Act and the Stop the Super PAC-Candidate Coordination Act, co-led by Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12), ensure greater transparency as it relates to contributions in federal elections.

"Our democracy is not for sale," said Congresswoman Ramirez."During this troubling time when money in politics threatens accountability to the American people, I am proud to introduce two critical pieces of legislation to enact much-needed campaign finance reform. Congress must act today to get big money out of politics, create stronger disclosures, and ensure checks on conflicts of interest. Today, we say to dark money, billionaires, and private interests, 'HANDS OFF our election and our democracy'."

The Stop the Super PAC-Candidate Coordination Act would ensure special interests cannot buy candidates by bankrolling their campaigns. The bill establishes limits and reporting requirements for coordinated expenditures between candidates and outside groups, such as super PACs. The bill also prohibits candidates and officeholders from soliciting funds for super PACs and other political organizations that accept unlimited contributions. The legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Mullin (CA-15), Rep. Tlaib (MI-12), and Rep. McCollum (MN-04). The legislation is endorsed by End Citizens United, Public Citizen, and CREW.

"For too long, super PACs have poisoned our politics, flooding our elections with limitless money and drowning out the voices of the American people. We see this every election cycle, with special interest groups pouring millions to try to silence our communities and stop working-class folks from having a seat at the table," said Rep. Lee."That is not democracy. That is corruption. And that is why I am proud to join Congresswoman Ramirez in introducing this bill to rein in the abuses and put power back where it belongs: with the people."

The Campaign Transparency Act would eliminate the contribution amount threshold to report the identity of a person who donates to political committees for federal elections. Currently, a person who contributes $200 or less per calendar year (or election cycle for authorized candidate committees) does not have to be identified by the committee in certain required reports. The legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Mullin (CA-15) and Rep. McCollum (MN-04). The legislation is endorsed by End Citizens United.

"At the center of Washington's corruption is a broken campaign finance system that lets deep-pocketed special interests drown out the voices of everyday working Americans," said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United."These common-sense reforms take real steps to level the playing field by increasing transparency in campaign funding and curbing the influence of big money in federal elections. We're thankful to Congresswoman Ramirez for bringing these bills forward and leading the fight in Congress to ensure ordinary Americans have a real voice in their government."

"Super PACs tend to be super-connected to the candidates and party machines they support. About half of the highest spending super PACs support a single candidate - the same candidate whose friends and former campaign staff set up the super PAC. They make a mockery of the lackluster "anti-coordination" rules established by the FEC and function as an end-run around candidate contribution limits. That is why candidates will encourage wealthy maxed-out donors to give more to "my" super PAC. Rep. Ramirez's Stop Super PAC Coordination Act would replace the weak anti-coordination rules of the FEC with strong and effective anti-coordination language so desperately needed. Public Citizen whole-heartedly endorses the Stop Super PAC Coordination Act." - Craig Holman, Ph.D., Public Citizen.

"The lack of robust regulation and oversight of super PACs since the 2010 Citizens United v FEC ruling has allowed the 1% to undemocratically influence US elections to levels never before seen in our nation's history," said Stuart McPhail, Director of Campaign Finance Litigation at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). "The American people deserve greater transparency regarding the influence and source of the funding backing political candidates and parties, and we believe the Stop Super PAC Candidate Coordination Act sponsored by Representative Ramirez is a strong step forward towards this goal. CREW is proud to endorse this bill, as it will expand the definition of coordinated expenditures and help improve and simplify enforcement of campaign finance law."

For the full text of the Campaign Transparency Act, CLICK HERE.

For the full text of the Stop the Super PAC-Candidate Coordination Act, CLICK HERE.

BACKGROUND:

Congresswoman Ramirez announced the introduction of the two pieces of campaign finance reform legislation during an anti-corruption Town Hall with End Citizens United in Wheaton on Thursday, August 21. To watch the recording, CLICK HERE.