Reform Groups Urge Vote Against Any Amendment to H.R. 1 to Restrict Funds from Being Used to Implement the Presidential Public Financing System

The organizations include Americans for Campaign Reform, Brennan Center for Justice, Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, CREW, Democracy 21, League of Women Voters, People For the American Way, Public Campaign, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG. 

The presidential public financing system has served the nation and presidential candidates of both major parties well for most of its 36-year existence. The system has protected against government corruption and has given average citizens and small donors a vital role to play in our presidential elections. 

The presidential system today needs to be repaired, not repealed.  Representatives David Price (NC) and Chris Van Hollen (MD) have introduced legislation, H.R. 414, to fix the presidential system.

Killing the presidential financing system would turn the presidency over to influence-seeking big givers, bundlers, corporate spenders and other special interest spenders, at the great expense of the American people.

We urge you to vote against any amendment to H.R. 1, the FY 2011 spending bill, that would restrict funds from being used to implement the tax check-off or the presidential public financing system.