Washington, D.C.— Seven national reform organizations praised Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) today for his leadership in tackling the issue of special-interest money in Washington, D.C. by co-sponsoring the Fair Elections Now Act (S. 752).

The groups--Americans for Campaign Reform, Change Congress, Common Cause, Democracy Matters, Public Campaign, Public Citizen, and US PIRG--issued the following statement:

“We welcome Senator Evan Bayh’s support for the Fair Elections Now Act. As he wrote Feb. 20 in the New York Times, the Fair Elections legislation will ‘expand democratic participation and increase the influence of small donors relative to corporations and other special interests.’

 

“America needs its elected representatives to turn their sights to our nation’s many challenges, and not be worried about the next fundraising opportunity or big donor to court. Sen. Bayh’s commitment to spend his final year in the Senate working to advance this legislation is critical as we work with other members of Congress to fix our broken political system.”

Under the Fair Elections Now Act, sponsored in the Senate by Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), candidates run by raising a set amount of small contributions in their home state to qualify for limited public funds. Candidates can raise additional funds of $100 or less that are matched on a four-to-one basis. Companion legislation in the House of Representatives is sponsored by Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) and has the broad bipartisan support of 139 co-sponsors.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court announced its Citizens United v. FEC decision lifting bans on corporate and union electioneering, nearly 180,000 petition signatures have been delivered to members of Congress urging them to pass the Fair Elections Now Act. Top business leaders, faith leaders, and over 30 national advocacy organizations representing tens of millions of Americans have all sent letters to Congressional leadership urging them to pass the legislation.

Three-dozen additional organizations have endorsed the Fair Elections Now Act. For more information about the bill, visit www.fairelectionsnow.org.