Democracy 21 Condemns DNC’s Decision to Abandon Ban on Lobbyist Contributions

 

Statement by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer

According to a Washington Post article today, the DNC has abandoned the ban on lobbyist contributions that was established for the party by President Obama.

This move by the DNC is a major step in the wrong direction and is in direct conflict with the American people’s deep concerns about the role of influence-money in Washington.

The DNC is acting as if the party is blind to the anger and frustration with Washington that is being expressed by voters in both parties as the presidential nominating process unfolds.

According to Bloomberg News (February 3, 2016), the Hillary Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee of the DNC, along with 33 Democratic state parties and the Clinton campaign, raised $26. 9 million last year, subject to the hard money contribution limits that apply to each entity. This included at least 24 donors who made contributions of $300,000 or more each to the Victory Fund.

Senator Bernie Sanders also created a joint fundraising committee with the DNC that raised $1,000 last year, according to Bloomberg News.

The DNC decision to accept contributions from lobbyists creates dangerous new opportunities for influence-buying by Washington lobbyists who will now be able to make six-figure contributions to the Hillary Victory Fund. The DNC has also opened the door to the political extortion of huge contributions from Washington lobbyists by those soliciting the contributions for the Victory Fund.

President Obama should immediately instruct the DNC to re-impose the lobbyist contribution ban he had established.