On March 20th, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Richard Durbin (D-IL), alongside sponsor Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) introduced the bipartisan Fair Elections Now Act.  Modeled on the successful systems in Maine, Arizona, and North Carolina, the bill will provide full public financing for qualified congressional candidates.

   In the U.S. House, Representatives John Tierney (D-MA) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), have introduced companion legislation, the Clean Money Clean Elections Act (HR 3099). 

   Already working in 7 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.

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 fundraising and helping to restore the people's faith in our elected officials.

   It's time to bring back the power of citizens to elect representatives not bought and paid for by special interest lobbyists and big-money donors.