Bipartisan Former Senators Call for End of Pay-to-Play Politics Through Fair Elections Now Legislation

Americans for Campaign Reform and Fifty Former Governors and Members of Congress Announce Support for Durbin-Specter, Larson-Jones bill

(Concord, NH) Former Senators Bill Bradley (D-NJ), Bob Kerrey (D-NE), Warren Rudman (R-NH) and Al Simpson (R-WY), co-chairs of the national nonprofit Americans for Campaign Reform, today called on their former colleagues in Congress to end their unhealthy reliance on special interest money by passing the bipartisan, bicameral Fair Elections Now Act, set for introduction today. The Senators were joined by a bipartisan team of more than fifty former Members of Congress and senior administration officials in both political parties, who are working with Americans for Campaign Reform to press for comprehensive reform in the 111th Congress.

Introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Representatives John Larson (D-CT) and Walter Jones (R-NC), the Fair Elections Now Act provides a new, small donor-driven approach to congressional campaign finance. "The bill's purpose is simple: to end the longstanding system of pay-to-play politics that is at the heart of government failures on key priorities like financial regulation, energy policy, healthcare, and the environment--a system that continues to cost taxpayers billions of dollars in wasteful government spending," said Dan Weeks, President of Americans for Campaign Reform.

The House and Senate bills provide media vouchers and matching public funds on small in-state donations for qualifying candidates who forego special interest contributions. Participating candidates must raise a threshold number of in-state qualifying donations and agree to a per-contributor limit of $100. Consistent with the First Amendment, participation is voluntary and candidates are permitted to raise unlimited small donations. The estimated cost is between $1-$2 billion per year. The statements of former Senators Bradley, Rudman, Kerrey and Simpson follow:

* * *

Sen. Bill Bradley: "We have all seen how the influx of big money distorts our nation's agenda, undermines democratic values, and limits competition. At a time of unprecedented challenges to the nation's future, we cannot afford to have our elected officials spending their time and energy raising money for reelection. The only way to break the connection between lobbyists and elected officials is by going to public funding of all Congressional and Senate campaigns."

Sen. Warren Rudman: "There's an overwhelming cynicism of the American people in their government, a feeling that the Congress has been corrupted by special interest money. As I look back on my twelve years in Congress, I hesitate to guess how many hours I spent raising money for reelection. The system we have today, where Members must raise thousands of dollars a day for reelection, is unacceptable and can't be sustained."

Sen. Bob Kerrey: "Fair Elections combines what works in our current system - citizen small donations - with matching public funds to ensure an open, competitive debate. And it rejects what doesn't work: big money from lobbyists and special interest groups trying to curry favor with Congress. The 2008 election showed that citizens want to take part in politics by volunteering and making small donations. Let's make sure their voices aren't drowned out by big money."

Sen. Al Simpson: "The current big money system is bad for taxpayers and bad for the economy. The amount of wasteful spending we have seen through earmarks and pork barrel spending in recent years is unacceptable. At $1-$2 billion a year, the price of Fair Elections pales in comparison to the tens of billions in taxpayer money going to benefit big contributors."

* * *

The following government leaders announced their endorsement of the Fair Elections Now Act in the 111th Congress as members of Americans for Campaign Reform:

Former U.S. Senators
Sen. Bill Bradley (D-NJ)
Sen. Warren Rudman (R-NH)
Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-NE)
Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY)
Sen. Tim Wirth (D-CO)

Former Members of Congress
Rep. Jim Abourezk (D-SD)
Rep. Don Albosta (D-MI)
Rep. Tom Andrews (D-ME)
Rep. Lud Ashley (D-OH)
Rep. Chet Atkins (D-MA)
Rep. Michael Barnes (D-MD)
Rep. Berkley Bedell (R-IA)
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY)
Rep. Bill Burlison (D-MO)
Rep. Jim Chapman (D-TX)
Rep. Frank Guarini (D-NJ)
Rep. Lee Hamilton (D-IN)
Rep. Micheal Harrington (D-MA)
Rep. James Hastings (R-NY)
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)
Rep. Amory Houghton (R-NY)
Rep. Bill Hudnut (R-IN)
Rep. Earl Hutto (D-FL)
Rep. Andy Jacobs (D-IN)
Rep. John Jenrette (D-SC)
Rep. Elliot Levitas (D-GA)
Rep. Stan Lundine (D-NY)
Rep. Richard Mallery (R-VT)
Rep. Charles Mathias (R-MD)
Rep. Pete McCloskey (R-CA)
Rep. Matt McHugh (D-NY)
Rep. Connie Morella (R-MD)
Rep. Lucien Nedzi (D-MI)
Rep. Leon Panetta (D-CA)
Rep. John Porter (R-IL)
Rep. Tom Railsback (R-IL)
Rep Marty Russo (D-IL)
Rep. John J.H. Schwarz (R-MI)
Rep. Ronnie Shows (D-MS)
Rep. James Symington (D-MO)
Rep. Estaban Torres (D-CA)
Rep. J. Bob Traxler (D-MI)

Former Governors & Senior Administration Officials
Gov. Bruce Babbitt (D-AZ)
Defense Sec. Frank Carlucci (R-PA)
Asst. Secretary of State Hodding Carter (D-NC)
Gov. Phil Hoff (D-VT)
Gov. Madeleine Kunin (D-VT)
Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton (D-WI)
IN Attorney General Jeff Modisett (D-IN)
Commerce Sec. Pete Peterson (R-NY)
Ambassador Don Petterson (D-NH)
EPA Dir. William Ruckelshaus (R-IN)
Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-IA)