Issue Position: Democracy, Civil Liberties, Justice

Issue Position

Congressman Doggett works for Fair Elections:

The disastrous Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision last year kicked open the door to even worse corporate influence in our democratic process. I supported the "Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections" (DISCLOSE) Act, which would have required stricter disclosure requirements on such political activity, and will continue pushing for such legislation to ensure that the voice of the corporation does not rise above the vote of the citizen. I spoke in support of the bill, stating "This is a vote for a fully informed, fully empowered American people. We want to keep America the best democracy, not the best democracy money can buy. This bill stops a tobacco company from masquerading as a phony "healthcare coalition'; a Wall Street bank from promoting another bailout as a "consumer alliance'; and a polluter claiming it is "citizens for clean air and clean beaches' while attacking those seeking to hold it accountable."

Congressman Doggett's Legislation to Protect Legal Aid Signed Into Law:

The President has signed into law H.R. 6398, legislation I authored at the request of leaders of the State Bar of Texas to continue full FDIC protection for Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTAs). For decades, revenue from IOLTAs has provided a key funding source for legal aid in all 50 states. My bill, which was supported by the American Bar Association and the Independent Community Bankers Association, will help provide legal services for those who otherwise would have no access to our justice system.

Source