Congress considers giving megadonors an even louder voice in our elections

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U.S. PIRG

Statement of Mike Russo, Federal Program Director with U.S. PIRG, on the proposal to greatly increase contribution limits to party committees as part of the omnibus spending bill:

 “In the midterms a month ago, we all saw yet another reminder of the dominance of big money in our elections.  Yet, instead of advancing common-sense solutions to raise the voices of small donors, set reasonable limits on big money, and ensure that the public knows where campaign money comes from, Congress is now poised to approve changes to campaign finance laws that would give megadonors an even louder voice.  Most Americans find it hard to afford giving even one or two hundred dollars to candidates and causes they believe in, but these revisions would allow big donors to give over $200,000 a year to party committees.

 “Large donations already play too big a role in our elections.  This wrong-headed change would move us even further in the wrong direction. We urge Congress to reject this bad deal, and instead work to pass solutions like the Government by the People Act and the Democracy for All Amendment.”  

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U.S. PIRG, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, is a consumer group that stands up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security, or our right to fully participate in our democratic society.