
“Before Congress can truly meet the challenges of energy and climate change, unemployment, and financial regulation, it must address the perverse incentives that mire each and every one of its members in a perpetual race for private campaign funds.”
- Tim WirthACR supports voluntary public funding of elections through a system which encourages candidates to rely on small donations from a large number of supporters, provides matching funds to maximize the impact of small donations, requires full disclosure of money spent to influence elections, has reasonable contribution limits and provides each eligible candidate with the resources necessary to run an effective, competitive and winning campaign.
All of us at Americans for Campaign Reform are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our friend and colleague Bob Edgar, President of Common Cause. Bob was a true public servant who dedicated his life to making our democracy more responsive to everyone.
Business leaders are calling for full disclosure and small-donor citizen-funded elections that will restore power to the voters.
Watch ACR’s Larry Noble in NOW with Alex Wagner
On January 15, four members of the Task Force on Election Reform, led by Congressman John Larson (D-CT) introduced three campaign-finance reform bills aimed at empowering small donors, reducing the influence of well-financed special interests and encouraging candidates to spend time with their constituents, as opposed to spending time with those who can write or raise the biggest checks.
On January 17, 2013, a letter was sent to Senators and Representatives urging them to oppose efforts to restore the party soft money system or increase party contribution limits.
The reform groups include Americans for Campaign Reform, Brennan Center for Justice, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Common Cause, Democracy 21, Demos, League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG.
The enclosed letter was sent by reform groups yesterday urging House members to oppose the Cole bill, H.R. 5912, scheduled to be on the suspension calendar today.
The reform groups include Americans for Campaign Reform, Brennan Center for Justice, the Campaign Legal Center, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Common Cause, Democracy 21, League of Women Voters and Public Citizen.
The Cole bill would repeal public funding of national conventions. The letter states that the reform groups “oppose this legislation and its piecemeal approach to dealing with convention financing.”
Americans for Campaign Reform (ACR), a bi-partisan advocate for public funding of federal elections, has announced that Lawrence M. Noble will serve as the organization’s President and CEO. Noble replaces ACR Founder John Rauh, who will continue to be actively involved with ACR and will remain Chairman of the Board.
Former Sens. Chuck Hagel and Warren Rudman in The New York Times: “We believe that every senator should embrace the Disclose Act of 2012. This legislation treats trade unions and corporations equally and gives neither party an advantage. It is good for Republicans and it is good for Democrats. Most important, it is good for the American people.”
In a letter sent to every US Senator, Bill Bradley, Bob Kerrey, Warren Rudman and Al Simpson write, “This transparency enables the electorate to make informed decisions and give proper weight to different speakers and messages. It is time for Congress to enact legislation that implements this important principle.”