Press release from Common Cause, New Jersey Citizen Action, and Public Campaign

Washington, DC—Three national and state watchdog organizations praised Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today for his leadership in tackling the issue of special interest influence in Washington, D.C. by co-sponsoring the Fair Elections Now Act.

“To restore faith in our political process Congress must dramatically alter the way campaigns are financed in this country,” said Marilyn Carpinteyro, Legislative and Political Director of New Jersey Citizen Action. “Sen. Menendez must be commended for his co-sponsorship of this legislation and for his commitment to fixing our broken system.”

“Sen. Menendez joins a growing list of members of Congress tired of the endless chase for campaign cash,” said Bob Edgar, president and CEO of Common Cause. “As Sen. Menendez knows, the Fair Elections Now Act would put voters—not big money donors—first in our political process.”

“With the Roberts Court’s misguided decision in Citizens United v. FEC, voter anger over the raw power of special interests in Washington, D.C. is growing,” said Nick Nyhart, president and CEO of Public Campaign. “As Congress works to blunt the impact of the decision, we look forward to working with Sen. Menendez to make sure the Fair Elections Now Act is part of the legislative response.”

Sponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Reps. John Larson (D-Conn.) and Walter Jones (R-N.C.), the Fair Elections Now Act (S. 732, H.R. 1826) would give candidates the option to run for office on a blend of limited public funds and a four-to-one match on donations of $100 or less. Instead of spending countless hours raising money, candidates can spend their time talking with constituents and addressing our nation’s challenges.

The House version of the bill has the broad, bipartisan and cross caucus support of 141 co-sponsors, including New Jersey Reps. Robert Andrews (D), Rush Holt (D), Donald Payne (D), Bill Pascrell (D), and Steve Rothman (D).Top business leaders, political donors, 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.