Mullin, Morelle, Ramirez, and Williams Launched Anti-Corruption and Democracy Reform Task Force

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Joe Morelle, the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, and Reps. Kevin Mullin, Delia Ramirez, and Nikema Williams launched the Anti-Corruption and Democracy Reform Task Force along with other task force members.

Led by Chair Joe Morelle and Co-Chairs Kevin Mullin, Delia Ramirez, and Nikema Williams, the Task Force will channel Americans' demand that Congress and the Federal government work for the people and take a hard look at the root causes of corruption to create a stronger, more unified democracy that works for every American.

Specifically, the Task Force will work to:

• Root out corruption within the Executive Branch, enforce checks and balances, and restore our Federal agencies;
• Critically examine Congress itself and ways to reform the Legislative Branch;
• End self-dealing in the Judicial Branch; and
• Improve our elections and electoral system to increase access to the ballot, reinforce our election security, and restore faith and trust in our democratic process.

"I do not say this lightly, but we are at a DEFCON 1 moment for our democracy as we face ongoing threats to voting rights from the most corrupt Presidential administrations in America's 250-year history. Americans are fed up with Republicans ignoring the needs of everyday families by taking away healthcare and food assistance from those in need, while enabling Trump to exploit his power for personal financial gain. As co-chair of the Anti-corruption and Democracy Reform Task Force, I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen our democracy, restore public trust in our institutions, and make sure America's leaders are following the law," said Co-Chair Kevin Mullin.

"At every turn, the Trump Administration is destroying our institutions and shattering norms, and Donald Trump is personally profiting off the Presidency while imposing costs on the American people. This corruption isn't free-you're the ones paying for it. This cannot, and will not, stand," said Chair Joe Morelle. "This Task Force will bring Members together to take a hard look at the root causes of corruption and creating a stronger, more unified democracy that works for every American."

"Americans are clear that we are well past democratic backsliding. We are facing multi-front struggles that threaten the very foundations of our democracies. From big, unaccountable money in politics buying representation, to authoritarians' attempts to erode free and fair elections, to white nationalists' efforts to disenfranchise Black, Brown, and low-income voters, and more, our democracy is under attack," said Co-Chair Delia Ramirez. "Now, more than ever, we must legislate, litigate, and agitate for our democracy. That's why I am proud to join the launch of the Anti-Corruption and Democracy Reform Task Force."

"We're facing the most corrupt administration in American history. This moment calls for a unified front, transparent action, and coordinated fights in Congress, the courts, and our own communities. The Anti-Corruption and Democracy Reform Task Force is prepared to do just that. This president is actively meddling in our elections and attempting to impose a Jim Crow 2.0 era through intimidation and suppression. We will fight to hold Trump accountable for his corrupt schemes, expose them to the American people, and present the alternative they deserve," said Co-Chair Nikema Williams.

The Task Force members were joined by Virginia Kase Solomón, President and CEO of Common Cause, and Robert Weissman, Co-President of Public Citizen for today's press conference.

"For too long, the wealthy and powerful have treated our government like their own personal checkbook," said Virginia Kase Solomón. "When those in power rig the system to make a profit, it makes groceries, housing, and healthcare more expensive for the rest of us. Our one million members are demanding hard guardrails that will stop the self-dealing and create a democracy where the size of your voice isn't determined by the size of your bank account."

"Corruption in Washington, DC affects every person in America. It lets fraud flourish, it enables giant companies to merge illegally, it undermines our foreign policy and drives us to war, it lets corporations pollute our air and water. The House Anti-Corruption and Democracy Task Force is poised to drive forward an agenda to unrig Washington, so the federal government works for everyday Americans, not cronies, corporations and the well-connected," said Robert Weissman.

Anti-Corruption and Democracy Reform Task Force members include: Representatives Becca Balint, Greg Casar, Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maxwell Frost, Robert Garcia, Dan Goldman, Jahana Hayes, Steven Horsford, Pramila Jayapal, Julie Johnson, Greg Landsman, Summer Lee, Mike Levin, Seth Magaziner, Sarah McBride, Jennifer McClellan, Greg Meeks, Grace Meng, Dave Min, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mark Pocan, Jamie Raskin, Mary Gay Scanlon, Brad Schneider, Terri Sewell, Suhas Subramanyam, Jill Tokuda, and Norma Torres.

###