Congressman John F. Tierney -- Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 24, 2006

Congressman Tierney: Public Financing of Campaigns
Must Be Part of Congressional Reform Proposals

Washington, DC - As various Congressional reform packages are debated, U.S. Congressman John F. Tierney (D-Salem) is working to pass his "Clean Money, Clean Elections" bill (H.R. 3099), which would give back the American people's stake in the political process by curtailing the influence of special interest money on political campaigns.

“The need for lobbying reform on Capitol Hill has become very clear to the American public; however, any lobbying reform proposal must be coupled with campaign finance reform in order to affect meaningful change in Washington. We need to eliminate the influence of special interest money on political campaigns as well as policy-making,” said Congressman Tierney, who has been joined by Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and 30 Democrats in spearheading this bill.

“Common Cause applauds Representative Tierney for putting the issue of congressional campaign finance reform back on the table. This reform is critical to cleaning up the mess in Congress and regaining public confidence in our democracy. Common Cause is a strong supporter of public financing of congressional campaigns. We know the the kind of reform envisioned by Representative Tierney's bill can work -- it is already working in several states and recently was enacted in Connecticut by a Democratic legislature and Republican governor. We are encouraged that several members of Congress now are introducing congressional public financing bills . We look forward to working with Representative Tierney and other reform-minded members in both Houses and from both parties to craft the strongest, most effective bipartisan congressional public financing legislation that can be enacted into law,” said Chellie Pingree, President, Common Cause.

“Rep. Tierney's and Rep. Grijalva's bill sets the standard as a measure that will go the furthest towards putting power in the hands of voters, taking it away from lobbyists and elite special interests,” added Nick Nyhart, Public Campaign Executive Director.

“Since 1997, when I first authored and introduced the Clean Money, Clean Elections bill, I have been working to restore the American public’s trust in the political system and remove the inherent conflicts of interest caused by campaigns funded by special interest groups. Now, more than ever, is the time to pass this piece of legislation,” added Congressman Tierney.

The Clean Money, Clean Elections bill establishes a voluntary system that gives candidates an option for public financing and reduced rates and limitations on broadcast advertising in exchange for self-imposed limitations on campaign financing. Participating candidates also get a dollar-for-dollar match, up to a set limit, if challenged by a non-participating opponent in order to stay competitive.

Congressman Tierney’s bill would accomplish five key objectives favored by most Americans, as it would:

Eliminate the perceived and real conflicts of interest caused by the financing of campaigns by private interests;
Limit campaign spending by requiring that candidates who choose to participate in the Clean Money, Clean Elections system spend no more than the fixed amount of Clean Money, Clean Elections funding they receive;
Allow qualified individuals to run for office regardless of their economic status or access to large contributors;
Free candidates and elected officials from the burden of continuous fundraising; and
Shorten the effective length of campaigns (when the public is bombarded with broadcast ads and mass mailings) by defining the point at which candidates receive Clean Money, Clean Elections funding to pay for campaign expenditures.

“The old adage that ‘he who pays the piper, calls the tune’ has been a mainstay of politics in Washington. As long as wealthy interests provide the majority of campaign funding, the voices of ordinary Americans -- on healthcare, education, the environment, and more – will not be heard by politicians with equal interest. Publicly funded campaigns are the key to clean elections; to an open and responsive government that is truly of the people. We applaud Congressman Tierney for his willingness to promote fundamental reform,” said Gary Kalman, U.S. PIRG Democracy Advocate.

"Public Citizen has always been, and continues to be, a strong supporter of public financing for congressional elections. All the lobbying reforms, all the ethics reforms and all the travel reforms, could never be enough to prevent another Jack Abramoff until we get private special interest money out of politics,” added Craig Holman, Legislative Representative for Public Citizen’s Congress Watch.

“The American people too often feel as though they have lost their voice in the American political process. There is often a perception by many that special interest groups and corporations provide significant financial support to candidates for legislative returns once the candidate takes office. We must change this system,” explained Congressman Tierney.

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Frequently Asked Questions about
Public Financing and
the Clean Money, Clean Elections Act

Will public money go to “fringe candidates” running for office?

Major party candidates, whose party has received 25 percent of votes in the state or Congressional district (if applicable) during last 5 years, must receive 1500 qualifying in-state contributions of $5 to qualify for funds.

Non-major party candidates must raise 2,250 qualifying contributions.

In Maine and Arizona, where the ratios to qualify were lower, there were no such “fringe” candidates.

The Clean Money system forces candidates to worry about public support, which is what they're supposed to be focused on in the first place.

What about wealthy, self-financed candidates?

Participating candidates get a dollar-for-dollar match, up to a set limit, if a non-participating opponent spends more than the basic public financing grant.
This won't mean an unlimited amount of money in case their opponent is someone like Steve Forbes. But there is a limit to how much buying of an election the public will tolerate.

Does the system force candidates to participate and penalize them if they do not?

Candidates have a choice: they can run under a Clean Money system or the current system.
If they choose private funding, they are not bound by any of the Clean Money provisions and can fundraise however they wish, although they must abide by the current laws on contribution limits and reporting. Clean Money provides an alternative to the special-interest money system to serve both the candidates and the voting
public. Candidates have another way to run for office and voters have a clearer choice at the voting booth, along with the assurance that their interests come first.

Is the Clean Money, Clean Elections system Constitutional?

According to the U.S. Supreme Court in Buckley v. Valeo, public financing of election campaigns – a key component of Clean Money Campaign Reform – is constitutional as long as the system is voluntary.

Won't private money just circumvent the Clean Money, Clean Elections system?

The Clean Money, Clean Elections Act will close the soft money loophole.
It will also provide additional public funds, up to a set limit, for Clean Money candidates who are targeted by independent expenditures and unregulated issue ads, ads that ostensibly promote legislative issues, not political candidates if they refer to specific candidates and appear just before elections.
The Clean Money system won’t be 100 percent effective in preventing private money from getting around the system and influencing federal elections, but will eliminate participating candidates' dependence on direct contributions from big money contributors.

What is the role of political parties?

Political parties can and should remain active in the nomination and endorsement of candidates; identifying, researching and developing the party's positions on issues; carrying out non-candidate-specific voter registration and get-out-the vote drives and other "party building activities."
Political parties can play a vital role within the political process as long as they do not serve as a conduit through which special-interest campaign contributors can gain influence over elected officials.

How will it be paid for?

Funds come from a combination of the $5 qualifying contributions collected by participating candidates, voluntary contributions from citizens, and direct appropriations by Congress.
The cost could be easily offset by the elimination of unnecessary subsidies, tax breaks and regulatory exemptions that big money contributors now get from Congress. In other words, Clean Money campaign reform is designed to be revenue neutral, with no new taxes required to pay for it.

Is there enough money to run a competitive campaign?

Candidates who choose Clean Money funding get the equivalent of what is being spent, on average, today.
Actual dollar amounts are lower because the candidates no longer have certain expenses; Clean Money candidates do not have to spend any money on fundraising and, for federal elections, they receive free and discounted TV ads and mailings.
Will help hold down the overall cost of campaigns.

Who would administer the Clean Elections fund?

The fund would be administered by an election commission consisting of five commissioners with no more than two from the same political party.
Commissioners would be appointed by the president (or governor) from a list provided by a nonpartisan, independent panel.
A person would not be allowed to hold the office of commissioner if he or she had served within the previous five years as an official for any government organization or political committee required to file with the commission.
Commissioners' terms would be limited and their powers and procedures expressly defined.

Can candidates afford TV time under this system?

Clean Money candidates will receive free broadcast time and discounted broadcast time.

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