Next Avenue (PBS): May the Biggest Wallet Win

05.15.2024 / By Marie Sherlock
Next Avenue (PBS): May the Biggest Wallet Win

"Strong majorities of Republican, Democratic and independent voters believe that there's too much 'big' and secret money in politics," says Aaron Scherb, spokesperson for Common Cause, a nonpartisan "citizens' lobby" working to ensure fair elections. The DISCLOSE (Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections) Act would rectify the glaring omission of dark money groups from FEC disclosure requirements. Some version of the DISCLOSE Act has been introduced every Congressional session since 2010—when it came within one vote of passing. "Republicans," says Scherb, "have repeatedly filibustered it in recent years." "With congressional Republicans continuing to block progress at the federal level, more and more states and municipalities have taken matters into their own hands and passed a variety of reforms," says Scherb. One effort is publicly funded campaigns with "small-donor matching systems" or block grants. More than three dozen states and municipalities have adopted some type of publicly financed elections. "These bills empower average Americans by matching their donations and make it possible for people of average means to run for office," says Scherb. "Passing reforms at the state and local level will create bottom up pressure on Congress to eventually do so at the federal level," he adds. Luckily, there are a number of nonpartisan groups working to reform our out-of-control campaign finance system. They act as FEC watchdogs, pushing for the commission to enforce violations (the six-member FEC — composed of three members of each party — often deadlocks), and advocate for legislative changes at all levels. Groups like Common Cause, Campaign Legal Center, End Citizens United and the League of Women Voters are all committed to campaign finance reform. The battle to rein in the influence of "big money" in campaigns won't happen overnight. With a reluctant Supreme Court and concerted partisan efforts to stymie legislation at the federal level, there is hard work ahead. "This is a marathon, not a sprint," warns Scherb. But he and others firmly believe it's a race that must be won. "Big money shouldn't dictate policy outcomes," Scherb says.

“Strong majorities of Republican, Democratic and independent voters believe that there’s too much ‘big’ and secret money in politics,” says Aaron Scherb, spokesperson for Common Cause, a nonpartisan “citizens’ lobby” working to ensure fair elections.

The DISCLOSE (Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections) Act would rectify the glaring omission of dark money groups from FEC disclosure requirements. Some version of the DISCLOSE Act has been introduced every Congressional session since 2010—when it came within one vote of passing. “Republicans,” says Scherb, “have repeatedly filibustered it in recent years.”

“With congressional Republicans continuing to block progress at the federal level, more and more states and municipalities have taken matters into their own hands and passed a variety of reforms,” says Scherb.

One effort is publicly funded campaigns with “small-donor matching systems” or block grants. More than three dozen states and municipalities have adopted some type of publicly financed elections. “These bills empower average Americans by matching their donations and make it possible for people of average means to run for office,” says Scherb.

“Passing reforms at the state and local level will create bottom up pressure on Congress to eventually do so at the federal level,” he adds.

Luckily, there are a number of nonpartisan groups working to reform our out-of-control campaign finance system. They act as FEC watchdogs, pushing for the commission to enforce violations (the six-member FEC — composed of three members of each party — often deadlocks), and advocate for legislative changes at all levels. Groups like Common Cause, Campaign Legal Center, End Citizens United and the League of Women Voters are all committed to campaign finance reform.

The battle to rein in the influence of “big money” in campaigns won’t happen overnight. With a reluctant Supreme Court and concerted partisan efforts to stymie legislation at the federal level, there is hard work ahead. “This is a marathon, not a sprint,” warns Scherb.

But he and others firmly believe it’s a race that must be won. “Big money shouldn’t dictate policy outcomes,” Scherb says.

 

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See More: Campaign FinanceCorporate AccountabilityDisclosure & Transparency