Celia Israel: “I am very fortunate because I represent a district in New York that is blessed with universities and colleges. We have a…”

“I am very fortunate because I represent a district in New York that is blessed with universities and colleges. We have a wonderful infrastructure of university and college campuses, and I toured those campuses and heard what you have heard: Congressman, my voice doesn't count. Congressman, why should I vote when it makes no difference? Congressman, why should I get involved in a campaign when my $20 contribution, or my $3 contribution, gets drowned out by one billionaire who is writing checks for millions of dollars for the candidate that he supports? I have said to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, it is bad for all of us when an entire generation gives up on us. That is just bad for democracy. That is bad for trying to accomplish anything. I have also said--and people understand this, I believe, intuitively--no matter what issue is important to you, no matter what it is--more investments in education or infrastructure or national security or your paycheck or the environment--no matter what it is, it is all rooted in a system that doesn't allow progress on those issues because it is rigged against progress on those issues. People say: Well, what can we do? What is the one thing we can do to get our voice back? Get this Congress to pass fundamental and meaningful campaign reform and we will make progress on every other issue.”