The Facts
“Before Congress can truly meet the challenges of energy and climate change, unemployment, and financial regulation, it must address the perverse incentives that mire each and every one of its members in a perpetual race for private campaign funds.”
- Tim WirthFormer Senator from Colorado
ACR Advisory Board Member
Legislation
Americans for Campaign Reform is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) founded in 2003 with a single mission: enact public funding of all federal elections. We support two pieces of legislation both of which promote small donor participation in our elections and provide adequate public funds for qualified candidate to run competitive races. The first updates and improves the existing presidential public funding system. It has been introduced in the House and Senate but has not been heard in committee.
The second––called The Fair Elections Now Act (S. 752 and H.R. 1826)––introduces voluntary public funding for House and Senate Races. The bill would allow federal candidates to choose to run for office without relying on large contributions, big money bundlers, or donations from lobbyists, and would be freed from the constant fundraising necessary to finance a campaign today. Candidates who agree to limit their donations of $100 or less from within their districts would be eligible for $4 in federal matching funds for every $1 they raise. It was introduced in the Senate by Dick Durbin (D-IL)} and Arlen Specter (D-PA) and in the House by John Larson (D-CT), Walter Jones, Jr. (R-N.C.), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME). It currently has attracted more than 180 sponsors and was approved by the House Administration Committee in September 2010. We are awaiting a vote by the full House of Representatives.
Federal public funding legislation enjoys bipartisan support in both houses of Congress, with over 120 cosponsors. The bills would create a modern system of public funding of Presidential and Congressional elections based on small donations from citizens:
Fair Elections Now Act
A Small Donor Approach to Congressional Campaign Finance
Download the Fair Elections Now Act fact sheet
The Fair Elections Now Act introduces voluntary public funding for House and Senate Races. The bill would allow federal candidates to choose to run for office without relying on large contributions, big money bundlers, or donations from lobbyists, and would be freed from the constant fundraising necessary to finance a campaign today.
Read more about the Fair Elections Now Act »
Presidential Funding Act
The Presidential Funding Act of 2010, introduced by Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Congressmen Mike Castle (R-DE) and David Price (D-NC), would establish a new, small donor-driven system of voluntary presidential funding for the 2012 elections, replacing the outdated system of 1974. The legislation would provide qualifying candidates with competitive public matching funds and general election grants to mount a credible campaign, effective in 2012. The following draft provisions are currently under consideration.
Download the Presidential Funding Act fact sheet
This bill will be re-introduced to update the system of public financing for Presidential elections. Below is the information for the version of the bill introduced in the 110th Congress:
Senate Sponsors:
Sen. Russell Feingold [D, WI]
Cosponsor: Sen. Barack Obama [D, IL]
House Sponsors:
Rep. Martin Meehan [D-MA]
Rep. Christopher Shays [R-CT]