D21 Endorses Government By The People Act, Which Would Create An Innovative Way To Finance Campaigns And Lessen The Big-Money Stranglehold On Elections
Representative John Sarbanes (D-MD), joined by Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME), recently reintroduced the Government By The People Act, which would establish a small-donor campaign matching program for candidates running for the House of Representatives.
Democracy 21 strongly endorses the Government By The People Act, essential legislation that would help end the domination of influence-seeking political money in our nation’s capital. Democracy 21 applauds Representatives Sarbanes, Neguse, Clarke, and Pingree for their national leadership on this critically important reform legislation.
“Big-moneyed special interests continue to stand in the way of the progress that voters overwhelmingly want on issues from climate change to reproductive rights and gun safety,” Representative Sarbanes said. “It’s past time to end the reliance on wealthy donors by passing legislation that levels the playing field for voters. The Government By The People Act will provide candidates with the resources they need to run competitive campaigns without leaning on big money donors and special interests, helping return us to a government of, by, and for the American people.”
“The small donor, matching funds system, developed over the years by Representative Sarbanes, is an alternative and innovative way to finance campaigns and lessen the stranglehold of big money on our elections,” Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer said. “The system provided in the Government By The People Act, would allow candidates to run for federal office without being dependent on or obligated to influence-seeking big money donors.”
Wertheimer continued: “Billionaires, millionaires, lobbyists, bundlers, Super PACs, dark money nonprofits, and special-interest PACs flood Washington with political money. This is money given for a reason – to influence legislators and impact legislation, often at the expense of everyday Americans. The Government By The People Act would help end the corrupting influence of these massive influence-seeking donations on our elections.”
Representative Sarbanes, Wertheimer said, “has provided extraordinary leadership in the ongoing battle to repair the broken campaign finance system in Washington. This legislation is a testament to his commitment to creating a system that would help combat the corrupting influence of big money in our politics and return a voice to everyday Americans.”
The legislation would establish:
⮞ A “Freedom From Influence Fund” to multiply the influence of small-dollar contributions. The Fund – made possible by a new surcharge on corporate lawbreakers and tax cheats – would match contributions of $200 or less per individual, per election, provided that the receiving candidate forgoes special-interest contributions and focuses on earning support from small-dollar donors.
⮞ A “My Voice Voucher” pilot program in three states to spur small-dollar donations to House candidates. The pilot program would be overseen and administered by a state oversight commission and allow qualified individuals to request a $25 voucher to allocate in increments of $5 to candidates.
In an op-ed published in The Hill in April, Democracy 21 advisor Matt Keller and Christine Wood, co-director of the Declaration for American Democracy Coalition, discussed the success and impact of similar small-donor public matching and public voucher systems that have been implemented in states and localities.
“All in all,” they wrote, “14 states and more than 20 localities provide the option for candidates to take advantage of systems designed to make it possible for people of average means to run for office, keep out the corrupting influence of large individual and corporate donations, and allow for candidates and elected officials to spend time speaking with constituents in ways that go beyond just asking for money.”
RELATED: “The Political $ Tsunami” by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer
