Duckworth, Durbin Join Entire Senate Democratic Caucus to Introduce For The People Act

Statement

U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and every member of the Senate Democratic Caucus to introduce the For the People Act -- a sweeping package of comprehensive reforms that would fix our broken politics and make government work for the people. The landmark legislation, companion legislation to H.R. 1 in the U.S. House of Representatives, aims to restore the promise of American democracy by making it easier, not harder, to vote; ending the dominance of big money in politics; and ensuring that public officials work for the public interest. Earlier this month, the House passed H.R. 1 by a vote of 234-193.

This comprehensive democracy reform plan includes Durbin's Fair Elections Now Act--a bill that he has introduced in every Congress since 2007. Durbin's bill would provide qualified candidates for the U.S. Senate with grants, matching funds, and broadcast vouchers from the Freedom From Influence Fund to replace traditional campaign fundraising. In return, participating candidates would agree to limit their campaign spending to the amounts raised from small-dollar donors plus the amounts provided from the Fund.

"The For the People Act is about a simple choice: whether you want the government to be in the hands of big money or the American people," Durbin said. "I'm glad that this comprehensive democracy reform plan also includes my Fair Elections Now Act, which would create a voluntary, small-donor public financing system for Senate candidates who agree to raise only small-dollar contributions. If we don't want a Congress filled just with multimillionaires and billionaires--or people who are beholden to them--we need to make it possible for more people to run and win. I'm thankful to my colleagues, Senators Udall and Merkley, for working with me to include the Fair Elections Now Act in this important legislative package."

"Expanding voting rights, getting big money out of our politics and strengthening our anti-corruption laws are all common-sense reforms needed to restore trust in our elections and our government," Duckworth said. "The For the People Act deserves a vote in the Senate, and I'm proud to be working with my colleagues Senators Durbin, Udall and Merkley in working to pass this critical bill."

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