Democracy 21 developed and is fighting to enact a new, alternative way to finance presidential and congressional campaigns, based on matching small contributions with public funds.
- The system would match small individual contributions up to $200 with public funds at a ratio of 6 to 1. Thus, a $200 individual contribution would provide $1,400 to a candidate using the system.
- The new system would empower ordinary Americans and make their contributions far more valuable to federal candidates. The system would free officeholders from the iron-grip of influence-seeking, big money funders.
- The new system is financed not by taxpayers but entirely by corporate lawbreakers and wealthy tax cheats who pay a surcharge to the government on the penalties, fees and settlements they provide o the government for breaking the law.
- There is a growing, nationwide citizen demand for elections free of the taint of influence-buying, special interest money. More and more states and municipalities — from Seattle to New York City to Maryland to Connecticut to Maine — have adopted successful small-donor campaign finance systems.
- The small-donor, public matching funds system (H.R 1) passed the House in 2019 and has 47 sponsors (S. 949) in the Senate.
The Washington Post: Citizens United challenges the strident side of Supreme Court ruling
|-, Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeThe Washington Post: Ruling allows contributions to activist groups for campaigns
|-, Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeHouston Chronicle: The first trickle In Texas, a campaign ad precedes a coming flood of corporate cash
|-, Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeCorruption Standard for Upholding Constitutionality of Contribution Limits Established in Landmark Buckley Decision Remains Unchanged Notwithstanding Dicta in Citizens United
|-, Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianePolitico: Elite donors dodge the DNC
|-, Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeNational Journal: Brave New World Of Political Spending For Nonprofits
|-, Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeThe Hill: Chamber: Unions to gain from campaign finance decision
|-, Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeAssociated Press Legislatures push back against campaign ruling
|-, Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianePoll: Large majority opposes Supreme Court’s decision on campaign financing; A Welcome, if Partial, Fix; Democracy 21 Statement
|Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeRepresentative Van Hollen and Senator Schumer Announce Legislative Response to Citizens United; Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer Strongly Supports Legislative Package, Calls for Prompt Congressional Action
|Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeDemocracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer Calls for Prompt Legislative Response to Citizens United Decision in Senate Rules Committee Testimony
|Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeCitizen United Decision Does Open a Major Loophole for Foreign Interests to Participate in Federal Elections Through Domestic-Controlled Corporations, Congress Needs to Act Quickly to Close the Loophole
|-, Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeNational Policy to Ban Corporate Wealth from Being Used in Federal Campaigns was Established in 1907
|-, Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeSupreme Court Decision in Citizens United Opens Huge Campaign Finance Loophole for Foreign Countries and other Foreign Entities to Participate in Federal Elections
|Press Releases |Money In Politicsby DianeSupreme Court Decision in Citizens United Case is Disaster for American People and Dark Day for the Court
|Press Releases |Money In Politicsby Diane