For more details about the FENA bill, visit the Common Cause website.

In the House, also on March 20, 2007, Representative John Tierney (D-MA) introduced HR 1614, the Clean Money Clean Elections Act, with 55 co-sponsors. In addition to establishing a Clean Elections program, the bill would amend federal rules to provide broadcast air time and postal franking privileges to Clean Elections candidates at some free and additional reduced rates. DETAILS HERE.

Also in the House, Representative John Larson (D-CT) reportedly is preparing a companion measure to the Senate's bill, seeking bi-partisan sponsorship similar to the FENA bill in the Senate.

Already working in 8 states and 2 cities, Clean Elections helps keep politicians working for the voters and not for the special interests and their lobbyists by providing public campaign funding to qualified candidates that agree to forgo private contributions and follow strict spending limits. A national survey of voters shows that Americans overwhelmingly support public financing of campaigns.

With the prospect of new faces in Washington D.C. next year, we may actually see progress on these bills. This year—when our Congressional representatives are home for the Augusts recess, and running for re-election—we should insist that they co-sponsor and support these bills.

In the U.S. Senate, the Fair Elections Now Act would make a total of $2.8 billion available every election for candidates who demonstrate a basic level of support by raising "seed money" but then agree to limit their campaign spending to the amount allocated from public funds. Seed money contributions, solely for campaign start-up costs, would be limited to contributions of no more than $100. It would bring a proven system of campaign finance reform to the federal level, freeing politicians from the burdens of constant fund raising and helping to restore the people's faith in our elected officials.

The policy proposal is modeled on public financing systems in place in seven states and two cities. In November, 2006, more than 200 officials were elected in Arizona, Maine, and North Carolina who ran under public financing systems, often called "Clean Elections."

The basic idea is simple. Candidates who collect a large number of small contributions can qualify for public financing of their campaigns. In return, they agree to strict spending limits and halt their private fund raising. Candidates facing an unusually high-spending opponent and those attacked by independent expenditures can receive additional public "fair fight" funds. Similar laws are also in place for all or some offices in Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico, Vermont, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Portland, Oregon.