Statement of Campaign for America, Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG on Retrogressive Campaign Finance Legislation Reported by House Administration Committee

The legislation reported today by the House Administration Committee under the leadership of Chairman Robert Ney (R-OH), if enacted, would fundamentally undermine the nation’s anti-corruption campaign finance laws, and the integrity and fairness of our government.

The House Administration Committee bill would repeal campaign finance laws, on the books for more than thirty years, to allow Washington lobbyists, such as Jack Abramoff, and wealthy individuals to give huge sums of corrupting contributions to buy influence over government decisions.

The bill similarly would allow Members of Congress, and other federal officeholders and candidates, to solicit huge corrupting contributions from donors seeking influence with the Members over government decisions.

The House Administration Committee bill reported today is extraordinarily retrogressive legislation.

At a time when Washington lobbyist scandals and serious ethics charges involving influence-seeking money are swirling around the House, it is simply incredible that the House leadership is attempting to gut critical anti-corruption campaign finance laws.