Working to Fix Congress

Democracy is predicated upon open and transparent elections in which every voter is able to make his or her views known. Members of Congress should answer to their constituents – to “We the People” – not special interests. Derek supports campaign finance reform because he believes the influx of money in politics contributes to the dysfunction in Congress. 

• Representative Kilmer strongly believes that Congress must take action to reform its campaign finance system and improve transparency. Representative Kilmer is a cosponsor of the Fair Elections Now Act, which would create a system of citizen-financed elections for Congressional campaigns and the DISCLOSE Act, which would improve the disclosure of campaign-related spending by outside groups and corporations.
   
• Derek believes the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling was a step in the wrong direction. Given the Supreme Court’s recent rulings in cases related to campaign finance, it is clear that we will need to amend the Constitution if we are going to provide for a more democratic campaign process. Recognizing these values, Representative Kilmer is an original cosponsor of H.J. Res. 119, the Democracy for All Amendment, which ensures that Congress and the states have the power to regulate how money is raised and spent in elections.

People shouldn’t be forced to wait in lengthy lines to exercise their democratic rights as Americans. Representative Kilmer believes Congress should take up comprehensive voting rights legislation intended to modernize our voter registration system, reduce long wait time to vote, and ensure equal access to the ballot box for all Americans seeking to exercise their constitutional right to vote. Representative Kilmer is a cosponsor of the Voter Empowerment Act, which would ensure access to online voter registration, enhance skills and training in our elections officials and poll workers, and promote accountability in election administration.