News

Rebuttal of Attacks on Dark Money Disclosure Requirements in H.R. 1

Rebuttal of Attacks on Dark Money Disclosure Requirements in H.R. 1 Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer Democracy 21 Counsel Donald Simon Enclosed below is a rebuttal of attacks made on the disclosure requirements included in H.R. 1, landmark democracy reform legislation scheduled to be voted on this week in the House. The DISCLOSE Act, incorporated […]

H.R. 1 Goes To The Floor Next Week

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | February 28, 2019 “We know Senate Majority Leader McConnell will block any Senate votes in this Congress. But we beat Senator McConnell when he tried to block passage of the McCain-Feingold soft money ban back in 2002. Ultimately, we will beat him again.” The dramatic hearing yesterday in which Michael […]

71 Organizations Send Letter Today Urging House Members to Vote for H.R. 1, Historic Democracy Reform Legislation

  In a letter sent to Representatives today, 71 organizations strongly urged all House Members to support the historic package of democracy reforms contained in H.R. 1, the “For the People Act,” introduced by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) and now with 234 Members cosponsoring. The organizations also strongly urged Members to vote against “any weakening […]

The Case for Ending Individual-Candidate Super PACs – Wertheimer opinion piece

Enclosed for your information is an opinion piece entitled “The Case for Ending Individual-Candidate Super PACs,” by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer. Read the full piece below or here. The Case for Ending Individual-Candidate Super PACs By Fred Wertheimer, Democracy 21 President | February 26, 2019 Super PACs that support an individual officeholder are the […]

The Case for a New Small Donor, Public Matching Funds System – Wertheimer piece

Enclosed for your information is a piece entitled “The Case for a New Small Donor, Public Matching Funds System,” by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer. Read the full piece below or here. The Case for a New Small Donor, Public Matching Funds System By Fred Wertheimer, Democracy 21 President An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll last fall […]

Mueller’s Report Is The Beginning, Not The End

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | February 21, 2019 “Whatever Mueller’s report contains, Congress and ultimately the public must have access to the full report. “ There are stories this week that Special Counsel Robert Mueller may submit his final report on the Russia investigation as early as next week. If he does, Justice Department regulations […]

H.R. 1: A Holistic Approach To Repairing Our Democracy

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | February 14, 2019 “The health and integrity of our democracy is on the line. The fight for H.R. 1 is a fight that must be won.” I testified today in support of H.R. 1 at the House Administration Committee on a panel that included representatives from the Brennan Center and […]

Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer Testifies in Support of H.R. 1 at the House Administration Committee

Today, Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer appeared before the House Administration Committee in support of H.R. 1, the comprehensive democracy reform bill introduced by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and co-sponsored by 225 other House Democrats. (Watch the video here.) Wertheimer also submitted written testimony on behalf of Democracy 21 in […]

Meet a Younger Mitch McConnell as Bold Campaign Finance Reformer

Meet a Younger Mitch McConnell as Bold Campaign Finance Reformer By Fred Wertheimer Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is the nation’s leading opponent of campaign finance laws. But it wasn’t always that way. Today McConnell is playing true to form, attacking H.R.1, the historic democracy reform legislation sponsored by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) and […]

Spurious Arguments Being Made Against H.R. 1 to Defend Secret “Dark Money” Contributions Spent to Influence Federal Elections

Enclosed for your information is a piece refuting spurious arguments being made by opponents of H.R. 1 to defend secret contributions. According to the piece: Secret, unlimited contributions made to groups which spend money to influence federal elections are a particularly dangerous means for corrupting government decisions. Without disclosure of these unlimited contributions, there is […]