Griffin Votes to End Public Financing of Presidential Campaigns

Statement

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) today issued the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 359, a bill to reduce Federal spending and the deficit by terminating taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns and party conventions:

"I am proud to support this cut called for by American taxpayers through the YouCut program. In November, voters said they are tired of wasteful spending like the Presidential Election Campaign Fund (PECF). In a time of record deficits, our focus needs to be on living within our means and creating private sector jobs -- not spending scarce taxpayer resources on funding candidates for public office."

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the elimination of the PECF would save taxpayers $617 million over 10 years.

H.R. 359 passed the House, 239-160 -- earning the unanimous bipartisan support of the Arkansas delegation.

YouCut allows Americans to vote, both online and via their cell phones, on spending cuts that they want to see the House enact. Each week that the House is in session, the House leadership will take the winning item and offer it to the full House for an up-or-down vote, so that you can see where your representative stands on your priorities. To participate, please visit: http://www.majorityleader.gov/YouCut/.

Established in 1971, the PECF provides federal tax dollars in the form of matching funds to candidates in presidential primaries, as long as a candidate qualifies for office and agrees to abide by certain spending and contribution limits. The fund also provides grants to qualifying presidential candidates in general elections if they agree not to accept other contributions, and it provides grants to sponsor national party conventions.

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