On the recordJanuary 26, 2011
I strongly oppose H.R. 359. This bill terminates the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, which provides grants and matching funds during a presidential campaign for primary candidates, general election nominees, and party conventions. Elections are not the problem in America. Our troubles don't stem from a case of too much non-special interest money. Every year, nearly 40 million Americans voluntarily choose to support the public financing system by directing $3 of their Federal taxes to the fund. This program, with little expense to the taxpayer, has played an important role of increasing transparency, ensuring that campaigns are funded at an appropriate and sustainable level, and strengthened the voice of small-donor Americans. While I appreciate that this bill has been brought to the floor under a modified open rule, that does not excuse the fact H.R. 359 bypassed committee hearings, silencing a much-needed debate. In an era of half-a-billion dollar--and growing--presidential campaigns, public financing needs reform, not repeal.
