Press Releases Archive

Wertheimer: “Role of Super PACs in Menendez Corruption Charges”

The indictment of Senator Robert Menendez illustrates in stark terms the corrupting role that Super PACs now play in our political system. The Menendez indictment alleges that a donor gave $600,000 in corporate funds to Senate Majority PAC, a Super PAC, and earmarked the money for the Senator’s reelection campaign. The Super PAC used as […]

Reform Groups Call on Justice Dept to Enforce Campaign Finance Laws in 2016 Election

In a letter sent today to the Justice Department, Democracy 21, joined by the Campaign Legal Center, applauded the Justice Department’s recent action to enforce the coordination standard in the campaign finance laws and emphasized how important it is for the Department to play an active role in enforcing the campaign finance laws in the […]

Reform Groups Urge Representatives to Oppose Latest Attempt to Repeal Presidential Public Financing System and EAC

In a letter sent today to the House Administration Committee, reform groups urged Committee   members to oppose H.R. 412, legislation introduced by Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) to repeal the presidential public financing system. The groups also urged Committee members to oppose H.R. 195, legislation introduced by Representative Gregg Harper (R-MS) to terminate the Election Assistance […]

Fred Wertheimer Statement on Groundbreaking Criminal Prosecution for Illegal Coordination Announced Today by Justice Department

The Justice Department today issued a release announcing a criminal conviction for violating the federal rules prohibiting coordination between federal candidates and their campaigns, and Super PACs and other outside spending groups. According to Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer: This is an extremely important development and sends a warning signal to all federal candidates in […]

Fred Wertheimer Statement on Citizens United Decision and Reform Bills Introduced Today

Five years ago today, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Citizens United, a 5 to 4 decision that has wreaked havoc on our democracy. Chief Justice Roberts and his four colleagues ignored the country’s history, the Court’s own jurisprudence and the need to protect America’s representative system of government against corruption. Instead, Citizens United […]

Letter to President Obama from Campaign Finance Reform Groups on Omnibus Appropriations Bill

Reform groups today sent a letter to President Obama stating that if the Omnibus Appropriations legislation becomes law, it includes the most corrupting campaign finance provisions ever enacted. The letter is enclosed below. Dear President Obama, The Omnibus Appropriations legislation, if it becomes law, includes the most corrupting campaign finance provisions ever enacted. The provisions […]

Reform Groups Urge Congress to Vote No on Omnibus Bill and the Destructive Campaign Finance Provisions

Reform groups today sent a letter to Congress strongly urging Senators and Representatives to vote no on the Omnibus Appropriations bill. If enacted, the bill contains the most corrupting campaign finance provisions ever passed by Congress.   Dear Representative, Our organizations strongly urge you to vote NO on the Omnibus Appropriations bill. If you vote […]

Fred Wertheimer Statement on Reid-McConnell “Bipartisan” Deal to Eviscerate Anti-Corruption Campaign Finance Laws

The nation has been crying out for our leaders in Washington to work together. The incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been talking about wanting to put together bipartisan agreements and legislation. But I don’t think the destruction by Republican Leader McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Reid of critically important anti-corruption campaign finance laws […]

Omnibus Bill Returns Huge Corrupting Contributions to National Parties

Bipartisan bargain in Omnibus will allow donor to give $776,600/year or $1,553,200/election cycle to the 3 national party committees CLARIFICATION The release enclosed below was sent out at 10 pm last night and dealt with the total amount an individual could give to a national party – the DNC and the RNC – under the […]

Reform Groups Urge Members to Vote Against Omnibus Appropriations Bill With Destructive Campaign Finance Provisions

Reform groups today sent a letter to Congress strongly urging Senators and Representatives to vote against the Omnibus Appropriations bill as long as it contains the destructive campaign finance provisions that were buried in the bill. The letter is enclosed below.   Dear Senator, Our organizations strongly urge you to oppose the Omnibus Appropriations bill […]