FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, November 24, 2003

Tierney Introduces Clean Money, Clean Elections Act
Says Political Paybacks in Energy, Medicare Legislation Should Never Happen Again

Washington, DC- “The big winners last week in Congress were not the American people, but the energy and health care special interests who have showered tens of millions of dollars in campaign contributions over the past two election cycles,” said U.S. Congressman John F. Tierney (D-Salem). “Both industries will see their investment in congressional campaigns pay off with the passage of Republican energy and Medicare conference reports in the House of Representatives. The time has come to pass real reform. Recently, I joined Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) to introduce the Clean Money, Clean Elections Act that would prevent special interests from benefiting at the expense of taxpayers.”

“According to the Center for Responsive Politics, since 1999 energy companies have made over $83 million in hard money campaign contributions to federal elections, and health insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies and health insurers made over $35 million. It is no surprise that legislation intended to benefit ordinary consumers has been hijacked by special interests with deep pockets,” said Tierney.

“Banning soft money was an important reform, but wealthy special interests still play far too large a role in our elections so long as private financing is the only option. We all strive to represent our constituents and districts,” Tierney said. “Good-faith differences exist over energy and health policy. Yet the voices of everyday people on both sides of the issues are drowned out by the cacophony of million-dollar contributions. Let the people back into the debate; let everyone's voice be heard. In the voting booth all Americans are equal even if their checkbooks are not.”

“The Clean Money, Clean Elections Act is a voluntary system that gives candidates an option to forego private funding without having to “unilaterally disarm,” that includes reduced rates and limitations on broadcast advertisement, and voluntary acceptance of public resource incentives for self-imposed limitations on campaign financing,” said Tierney.

The Clean Money, Clean Elections Act currently has 29 co-sponsors and is supported by the non-partisan, non-profit organization, Public Campaign.

“Tens of millions in campaign contributions have bought tens of billions of dollars in wasteful subsidies, dirty air, dirty water, and the push for the privatization of Medicare. Take away their influence. Congress must restore the principle of one person, one vote,” concluded Tierney.

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