Larson, Pingree Announce Fair Elections Legislation to Receive Committee Mark-Up

Press Release

Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) announced today that their Fair Elections legislation will receive a full committee mark-up by the Committee on House.

The Fair Elections Now Act would put elections back in the hands of ordinary Americans by
replacing big donor, special interest funded elections with Fair Elections -- supported by small
dollar local contributions and a match from the Fair Elections fund. With Fair Elections,
candidates can focus on their constituents instead of lobbyists; and issues -- instead of fundraising.

Congressman Larson said, "I didn't come to Washington to spend my time raising money. I came here to work on behalf of my friends and neighbors back home and solve the issues facing this nation. The Fair Elections Now Act would allow candidates like me to get back to the real business our constituents sent us to Washington for and it would help us make sure the voices of everyday Americans are heard more loudly in elections. This committee mark-up is the culmination of years of work on election reform led by Congressman John Tierney and Congressman David Obey. I am proud that the Committee has decided to take up this legislation and urge the members to vote it out of Committee so we can pursue a vote on the House floor."

"The American people deserve a better government than they are getting," Congresswoman Pingree said. "The big banks and drug companies have way too much influence in Washington. If they want to invest in our government, let them pay their fair share of taxes rather than paying for politicians who'll write them special tax breaks. It's time to get corporate money out of politics and put elections back in the hands of ordinary Americans."

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