Eliminating Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Elections

Floor Speech

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Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

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SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN AND LOBBYING ACTIVITIES.

With respect to Federal funds received by an entity, other than a natural person, it shall be unlawful for such entity to--

(1) use such funds to advocate the election or defeat of a Presidential candidate;

(2) use such funds to engage in any lobbying activity; or

(3) donate such funds to any entity that advocates for the election or defeat of a Presidential candidate or engages in lobbying activities.

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Mr. Chairman, it is my intention to withdraw, however reluctantly, the amendment. But I would like to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for giving me this opportunity to discuss what I believe is a critically important issue for our democracy.

My amendment is straightforward. Entities that received Federal funds may not use those funds, be they bailouts, earmarks, grants, or payments for contracts, toward the election or defeat of a Presidential candidate.

I understand what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle hope to accomplish with the underlying bill today. They want to protect taxpayer dollars. Saving taxpayer dollars is a noble goal, particularly in these tough economic times.

Unfortunately, this bill eliminates the voluntary fund that taxpayers elect to put toward campaign financing and does nothing about the much larger share of taxpayer dollars that can now go to campaign financing with no say from taxpayers. If we are truly serious about protecting taxpayer dollars, it is these dollars we should be concerned with. We should ensure that corporations and other entities receiving taxpayer money cannot turn around and use that same money to finance Presidential campaigns.

The Supreme Court, in Citizens United, allowed corporations to have unlimited influence in elections. It removed longstanding protections that prevented corporations from making large contributions to candidates and drowning out the voices of everyday Americans trying to participate in our democracy. In the wake of Citizens United, public financing of Presidential elections is all the more important to ensure a level playing field for candidates running for office and to preserve the voice of the American taxpayer. By eliminating the Presidential Campaign Fund, my colleagues across the aisle would increase the influence of special interests in the elections, leaving Presidential candidates beholden to large, private contributions.

If my colleagues insist on eliminating this important and completely voluntary fund, let us at least make sure that corporations receiving taxpayer money through bailouts, earmarks, and other Federal funds are not able to then use these taxpayer funds towards influencing Presidential elections. Let us level the playing field and protect all American voters by ensuring that these large, private contributions to political candidates aren't funded using taxpayer money.

Mr. Chairman, I reluctantly ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

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