AFL-CIO Strongly Supports Public Financing for Congressional Campaigns

by James Parks, Jun 20, 2007

The AFL-CIO strongly supports public financing for congressional campaigns, the centerpiece of the Fair Elections Now Act (S. 1285) now on the Senate floor.

The Senate Rules Committee is holding hearings today on S. 1285. The bill is sponsored by Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.). In a radio interview this morning, Specter says the law is needed because there have been so many corruption scandals the federal penitentiary needs a “congressional suite.” And check out Adam B’s post on Daily Kos, which explains the details of the bill. 

Writing to Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Bob Bennett (R-Utah), chairwoman and ranking member of the Rules Committee, respectively, AFL-CIO Legislation Director William Samuel says the bill is necessary to “encourage full citizen participation in our democracy and restore public confidence in the legislative process.”

We consider the Fair Elections Now Act to be an important step in this regard, as it would create a voluntary alternative to the existing campaign fundraising system, which currently overwhelms the entire election process.

…even with the participation of workers (in the election process) through their labor unions, workers’ voices are still overwhelmed by an avalanche of corporate money. The effects of that imbalance are plain to see. Our public policy debates would look very different without the disproportionate influence of corporations and wealthy campaign contributors.

The Fair Elections Now Act would help ensure that the interests of ordinary citizens and workers are treated with just as much respect as the interests of corporations and extraordinarily wealthy individuals.

Click here to read the entire letter.

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