Deutch Leads Fight Against Massive Erosion of Campaign Finance Limits Included in Omnibus Bill

Press Release

U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (FL-21), Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Donna Edwards (MD-4), Jim McGovern (MA-2), Jared Polis (CO-2), and John Sarbanes (MD-3) have submitted an amendment to the House Rules Committee striking language included in the Omnibus Appropriations bill that drastically increases how much money America's wealthiest donors can give to political party committees. If Division N, Section 101 of H.R. 83 were to become law, a single individual could donate over $777,000 a year or $1.5 million per federal election cycle to the three Democratic and Republican party committees, directly undermining the McCain-Feingold reforms passed by Congress in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.

"It is downright appalling that congressional negotiators, without public debate or even fair warning, tucked language into the Omnibus Appropriations bill that gives more influence to wealthy donors and special interests who have more than plenty already," said Congressman Deutch. "Americans overwhelmingly want their leaders to fight efforts to gut laws limiting the influence of big money in politics. They do not want Congress to be complicit in the dismantling of our campaign finance system."

"I find it unconscionable that House Republicans have sought to bury this incredibly damaging provision among a 1,600 page spending bill. We must limit the power of wealthy political donors and special interests in our elections, not render ineffective laws that were rightfully enacted to place checks on their influence," said Congressman Alcee Hastings.

"Almost $4 billion was spent on the 2014 midterms, making them the most expensive in our nation's history," said Congresswoman Donna Edwards. "Now, under a deadline to keep the federal government open and at a time when our political system is already overwhelmed by outside money, we cannot allow even more access for the superrich at the expense of working families. I urge the Rules Committee and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment and join the overwhelming majority of Americans who want their voices heard over the roar of big corporations and special interests. We cannot allow outside money to dominate our elections, to do so would be both undemocratic and unfair to ordinary citizens."

"The American political system is already drowning in special interest money," said Congressman McGovern. "The last thing Congress should do is make the problem worse. But that's exactly what this backroom deal would do. It's outrageous."

"Our political system is already overwhelmed by money from special interests and the superrich, even with our current campaign contribution limits," said Rep. Polis. "There is no conceivable reason that we should be increasing contribution limits by 1000% when the voices of so many hard working Americans across the nation are already being drowned out by mega-donors."

"It is breathtakingly cynical to give even more power to the wealthy and well-connected on the heels of an election that ushered in a new, dangerous era of big money politics," said Congressman Sarbanes. "Everyday Americans want Congress to listen to their concerns, not just big money donors and special interests."