US Senator Ben Ray Luján
US Senate News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D.N.M.) and Chris Van Hollen challenged our nation's campaign finance system, which currently allows wealthy private interests to retain I reintroduced two campaign finance reform bills to bring about dramatic and needed changes. Significant influence on the American political process.
The Senate's Enhanced Mass Participation Offset to Offset the Electoral Role of the Wealthy (EMPOWER) Act would revitalize public financing of presidential elections, said Representative Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) in the House of Representatives. is leading. The Senate's effort to restore the integrity of America's election laws would break the impasse and strengthen the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which is led in the House by Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.).
“With the ever-increasing influence of big money in politics, it is time for Congress to reform America's outdated campaign finance system. I am proud to reintroduce these bicameral bills that will help strengthen accountability for those who violate athletic laws,” said Senator Luján.
“Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, but since the Supreme Court's erroneous and reckless decision in 2010, citizens united As a result of this decision, our campaign finance laws have given large corporations and deep-pocketed special interests enormous power in politics, with almost zero transparency. By curbing the influence of dark money in presidential elections and strengthening the FEC's ability to enforce campaign finance laws, these bills will help restore more political power to the American people, where it belongs. It will be helpful,” said Sen. Van Hollen.
“The President's public financing program is designed to give candidates from all backgrounds a competitive chance, not just those who are wealthy or have wealthy friends,” said Rep. Lieu. Ta. “But since the disastrous Citizens United decision, wealthy corporations, special interests, and big donors have gained tremendous influence over the electoral process, leaving ordinary Americans shut out. The EMPOWER Act, a bicameral bill, would revitalize the presidential public funding system, level the playing field among candidates, and put power back in the hands of the American people.”
“After Watergate, Congress initially created the Federal Election Commission to act as a referee charged with prosecuting politicians and organizations that deceive and undermine the interests of 'We the People,'” said Congressman Kilmer. Stated. “Unfortunately, in recent years, the FEC has become dysfunctional and rule enforcement compromised. This bill aims to put referees back on the field. Eliminate campaign finance abuse and rule-breaking. In order to get back to the topic of holding people accountable, meaningful and substantive reforms at the Commission need to occur.
Background of the EMPOWER Act
The EMPOWER Act would modernize the presidential public funding system, support the competition of publicly funded candidates, and strengthen the power of small donors. Supporting competitive public funding options for presidential candidates fosters public participation and encourages candidates to cater to all Americans, not wealthy hidden campaign donors. It will be. The text of the bill can be viewed here.
This law is as follows:
- Eliminate spending limits for participating candidates. Candidate spending limits are no longer viable following citizens united This is because outside groups can now spend unlimited amounts of money on opposing candidates using unlimited donations. To avoid draining public funds, limits will be placed on the total amount of matching donations available to presidential candidates.
- Increase the amount of matching funds for participating candidates. The first $200 of individual contributions to presidential candidates will be matched 6:1 with public funds, up from the current 1:1 ratio of the first $250. For example, a candidate who participates in this system would receive $1,200 of her public funds for a $200 contribution and end up receiving a total of $1,400. This would provide an important new incentive for the public to donate, and an important new incentive for candidates to solicit small donations from their supporters.
- Potential participants must agree to accept donations of $1,000 or less. The current individual contribution limit of $2,800 per donor per election will be reduced to $1,000 per donor per election for candidates participating in this system. For candidates who do not participate in the scheme, the current contribution limits will remain unchanged.
- Allow national political parties to compete alongside super PAC money. To help candidates cope with the flood of super PAC money, national parties can coordinate $100 million in spending with general election presidential candidates who participate in the system.
Background on restoring the integrity of American election laws
The Restoring America's Election Integrity Act reorganizes the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and restores its role as an effective and timely enforcer of campaign finance regulations. This bill would streamline the FEC's enforcement process while maintaining safeguards to protect the rights of alleged violators. The text of the bill can be found here.
This law is as follows:
- Modify the structure of FEC to eliminate deadlocks. The number of appointed committee members will be reduced from six to five, with two from each major political party and one independent. This change would bring the FEC more in line with the composition of most other independent agencies, while also ensuring that the president's party does not hold a majority. The Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee, convened by the President, recommends individuals for appointment to the committee.
- Improve the FEC investigation process. Currently, the FEC is far too slow in cracking down on campaign finance violations. Even after a potential violation has occurred, it can take years to determine whether an investigation should be initiated. The Restoring America's Election Integrity Act streamlines the FEC's enforcement process while maintaining safeguards to protect the rights of suspected violators. Upon submission of a complaint, the FEC's General Counsel is authorized to determine whether there is reason to believe that a violation has occurred, and that decision must be made within 30 days by a majority of the Commission to dismiss the General Counsel. It will take effect unless you vote for it. If a “reason to believe” determination is made, the FEC will investigate the matter and the Secretary will determine whether a violation has occurred.
- We will strengthen crackdowns on campaign finance violations. The law allows complainants to seek judicial review in the district court of the District of Columbia to determine whether a government agency's failure to respond to a complaint within one year of the complaint violates the law. . The legislation also makes permanent the FEC's authority to impose administrative penalties for certain violations of the law.
- Makes permanent the FEC's authority to impose administrative penalties for certain violations of law.
The EMPOWER Act and the Restoration of the Integrity of U.S. Election Laws are endorsed by: “End Citizens United/Make America Vote,” “Public Citizenship,” “Common Cause,” “Democracy 21,” and “Rise Up America.”
“Thanks to a concerted effort by the Republican Party and its dark money supporters, the Federal Election Commission has become dysfunctional and gridlocked,” said Tiffany Mueller, president of End Citizens United//Let America Vote Action. , which has led to unbridled corruption and ineffective government institutions.” Fund. “The Restoring America’s Election Integrity Act will ensure that the FEC is fully operational to hold bad actors accountable and enforce anti-corruption laws. , Senator Luján, and Congressman Kilmer for their continued leadership in rooting out corruption in our political system.”
“Since that tragic event, citizens united “Decided, billionaires and dark financial groups have drowned out the voices of the American people through unlimited and undisclosed campaign contributions,” said Tiffany Mueller, president of End Citizens United//Let America Vote Action Fund. said. “The EMPOWER Act is a necessary and long-overdue effort to root out corruption and hold our political leaders accountable to the people in their communities, not to big political donors, billionaires, or corporate special interests. A huge thank you to Sen. Van Hollen, Sen. Luján, and Rep. Ted Lieu for introducing this bill and ensuring that our government was not bought and paid for by the highest bidder. Thank you very much.”
“Following a series of hostile court decisions and Congressional inaction, campaign finance is back in the West, where contribution limits are easily circumvented and enforcement halted by a stalled Federal Election Commission. The Restoring Integrity and EMPOWER Act provides an opportunity to restore reasonable limits on funds in politics. The Take Back Movement would transform the dysfunctional FEC into a functioning election police. The EMPOWER Act, led by Sen. Van Hollen, Sen. Luján, and Rep. Ted Lieu, would revitalize the president's public financing system and increase the value of small donations from average citizens by adding unlimited special interest. “We will replace it with a competitive program that will enhance the game,” said Craig Holman. , Ph.D., Civics.
“Every American, regardless of the size of their wallet, has the right to have their voice heard in our democracy. But for too long, big money and special interests have held the megaphone. , has drowned out the voices of ordinary Americans,” said Common Cause Co-Interim Chair Marilyn Carpinteiro. “We are reinstating the EMPOWER Act to expand the role of small donors in presidential elections and the Restoring America’s Election Integrity Act, led by Sen. Van Hollen, Sen. Lujan, and Rep. Ted Lieu. I commend Senators Van Hollen, Lujan, and Ted Lieu for their introduction. “Mr. Kilmer will help strengthen the Federal Election Commission to better enforce campaign finance laws and will require Congress to I urge you to pass both bills.”
“The EMPOWER Act addresses the need to reform a broken campaign finance system that unfairly favors wealthy donors and takes an important step toward modernizing presidential public financing. Restoring Integrity to Election Laws would reform and strengthen the FEC and its ability to enforce election and campaign finance laws. Together, these bills would create a more transparent and fair election system and increase billions of dollars. “Ordinary Americans, rather than billionaire individuals or corporations, will be able to elect their representatives,” said Brett Edkins, managing director of policy and politics at Stand Up America. “Stand Up America would like to thank Senators Van Hollen, Luján, Ted Lieu, and Kilmer for their efforts in reducing the influence of wealthy corporate donors in our elections. Thank you. We are proud to support these important reforms.”
