Washington, D.C.—National campaign finance organization Public Campaign applauded the introduction today of three measures in Congress aimed at raising the voices of everyday people in the political process. Congressmen John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), John Sarbanes (D-Md.), and David Price (D-N.C.) each introduced public financing legislation aimed at empowering small donors.

“After an election that saw record-setting campaign spending and big money donations, we welcome these efforts toward making our government truly of, by, and for the people,” said Nick Nyhart, president and CEO of Public Campaign. “We look forward to working with the Congressmen to develop the best possible solutions to our broken political system.”

Rep. Yarmuth has introduced the Fair Elections Now Act (HR 269), Rep. Sarbanes has introduced the Grassroots Democracy Act (HR 268), and Rep. Price has introduced the Empowering Citizens Act (HR 270). All three bills are based on small donor empowerment, allowing candidates to run competitive campaigns for office by relying on small donations instead of just big checks from lobbyists or corporate interests.

Rep. John Larson, the previous lead sponsor of Fair Elections, is chair of the House Democrats’ DARE Task Force to address campaign finance and electoral reform issues. He will work with the three Congressmen to develop a bill combining the best parts of all three pieces of legislation.

The Fair Elections Now Act was introduced with 52 cosponsors, the most original co-sponsors to date since it was first introduced in the House in 2009. The more recently developed bills, the Empowering Citizens Act and Grassroots Democracy Act, have 12 and 33 cosponsors, respectively.

“We need a political system that works for everyone—not just those who can write big checks,” said Nyhart. “Empowering small dollar donors is one way to make that possible.”

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Public Campaign is a national nonpartisan organization that fights to raise the voices of everyday people in our democracy through changing our campaign finance laws and through holding elected officials accountable. Learn more at www.publicampaign.org.