Reps. DeGette and Sarbanes Unveil New Effort to Fight Big-Money Politics

DENVER, CO – During a roundtable at the Community College of Denver, U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (CO-01) and John Sarbanes (MD-03) unveiled the Government By the People Act (H.R 20), a bold new reform that would help everyday people in Denver and across the country fight back against wealthy and well-connected special interests.

The Government By the People Act would return political speech and power back to the American people by establishing a small-donor campaign finance system that competes with today’s big-money politics. The bill would provide voters with a refundable $25 tax credit to support a candidate’s campaign and would boost that donation with a six-to-one match. Taken together, the tax credit and matching funds would create a viable new campaign finance system to compete with today’s big-money politics.

By giving candidates the ability to power their campaigns with the energy of everyday people – rather than going hat in hand to wealthy special interests – the Government By the People Act would allow Congress to better channel the will of the people and advance policies supported by most Americans – without them being distorted by the corrosive influence of special interests.

“For a democracy to really work, people need to participate and to feel that their voice matters,” said Rep. DeGette. “The Government By the People Act helps ordinary Americans achieve the kind of influence in campaigns and elections that is too often reserved for a few. By reversing that trend, we can help every voice get heard and ensure that everyone believes they have a say in America.”

“Whether it’s creating good jobs, education, health care or the environment, wealthy campaign donors and well-connected Washington insiders are blocking progress on the issues that everyday people in San Diego and across the country care most about,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “We need to break Congress’ reliance on big-money donors so that we can return to a government of, by and for the people.”

To learn more about H.R. 20, the Government By the People Act, visit: https://sarbanes.house.gov/bythepeople.