Statement by U.S. Representative DeGette On Her Vote Against The Flawed Legislation Targeting ‘527 Groups'

Statement by U.S. Representative DeGette On Her Vote Against The Flawed Legislation Targeting ‘527 Groups'

"I fully support real campaign finance reform, which is why I voted against this bill.

"The bill that passed today seeks to closely regulate 527 groups without placing additional restrictions on groups that support Republicans. This blatantly partisan move by the Republican Leadership would let organizations that overwhelmingly support Republicans, such as large corporations off the hook, allowing them to continue spending unlimited and undisclosed amounts of money.

"In contrast, legitimate grassroots, labor and public interests groups will be subject to strict limits. For example, non-partisan groups that register voters would be stymied in their efforts to register millions of Americans each election. Voter turnout reached unprecedented highs in 2004 thanks in large part to the efforts of 527 organizations. The Republican Leadership should not be obstructing voter participation.

"If the Republican Leadership thinks this vote will fool the American public into thinking they've fixed the Tom Delay, Duke Cunningham, Jack Abramoff and Bob Ney scandals, they're more out of touch than I thought."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/co01_degette/527.html