Washington, DC (September 23, 2010): Chairman Robert A. Brady issues the following remarks at today’s Committee mark-up of H.R. 6116  - The Federal Elections Now Act:

 “Today we mark up H.R. 6116, the “Fair Elections Now Act,” sponsored by Rep. Larson of Connecticut.  The Fair Elections Now Act is a voluntary program and would allow qualified House candidates to run for office utilizing a blend of contributions from small dollar donors and limited public matching funds. It is designed to change the current system of campaign fundraising which largely relies on large donors and special interests.  It does not limit or discourage spending by outside groups, but instead aims to ensure that those voices are not the only ones that can get heard in public debate.  It’s about encouraging more speech, not less.”

 “I am sure that there are questions as to why this bill is needed now.  The American people are frustrated and want Congress to focus on the economy and fixing our nation’s problems.  Yet they see in Washington a never-ending money chase fueled by lobbyists and big donors. The average American feels that he has been left out and his problems ignored.  If our constituents are to know that we work for them, we have to change the way we operate and run our campaigns.  I support The Fair Elections Now Act because it will put our elections back in the hands of ordinary working Americans, instead of us relying on corporate lobbyists to fund our political campaigns.  By creating a competitive system that relies on small dollar local contributions and matching funds, Congressional candidates can focus on the people back home in their districts and the work that needs to be done.  If we are to have a government that is fair, effective and accountable, we need to have a system in which individual voters are as important as corporate lobbyists.  We need an electoral system in which a coal miner’s voice can be heard as clearly as the owner of the mine he works in.

“It is not easy to change the system.  It will cost time and money to change the status quo.  But this program is a responsible investment in good government and it will likely save American tax payers money over the long run.  For example, we lose an estimated $70 billion to $100 billion every year in tax revenue due to offshore tax schemes and loopholes written into the law at the urging of lobbyists.  By contrast, the cost of the Fair Elections Now Act is approximately $4 per voting-age citizen per year. 

“This is not about favoring one party or the other in a tough election year.  Whether we’re Republican or Democrats, we have all been elected to represent Americans first and we all share an interest with the people we represent in having a government that is accountable, effective and transparent.  We need a system that puts average Americans first.”

The bill was favorably reported out of the Committee via voice vote.

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Kyle D. Anderson

Communications Director

Committee on House Administration

United States House of Representatives

1309 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515-6157

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