In Congress a new 2011 version of the Fair Elections Now Act (FENA) has been filed in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate bill is S.750, sponsored by Dick Durbin (D-Ill), with other senators so far (see link below for details). The House bill is H.R.1404, sponsored by John Larson (D-CT).

The following links provide information on progress of the bills and committees they have been assigned to (each link opens a new page):
Info Tracking S.750 in the Senate
Info Tracking HR.1404 in the House

The Fair Elections Now Act would allow candidates to run a viable campaign for elected office with a mixture of small donations and limited public financing. Candidates would qualify for limited public funds by raising a specific number of small donations from members of their communities. Once qualified, they would receive a four to one match on the small donations, and be prohibited from taking any large donations.

Modeled on successful programs that are law in seven states and two cities, the Fair Elections Now Act would free our elected officials from the fundraising treadmill and allow them to focus on the challenges we're up against and their constituents' needs.

Information and Handouts

Why Fair Elections?

Money is polluting our democracy - enormous sums from special interests, buying campaigns and influencing Congress with high-priced lobbyists. Fundamental reform of campaign finance laws is necessary to achieve progress on nearly every issue of concern to Americans today. With the cost of campaigns skyrocketing, pay-to-play scandals on the front pages of our newspapers, and the unprecedented challenges we face as a country, we need our lawmakers focused on doing the job they were elected to do - solving our nation's problems.

It's not enough to tinker around the edges - saying "Oh, my!" to the scandals, or demanding transparency in exactly how K-Street lobbyists work their undue influence in the middle of the night.

Instead, we have to change the system by which our democracy has been hijacked - and that means changing the source of the campaign cash that buys allegiance to special interests. We need campaigns to be funded publicly, encouraging many small donations from an electorate who become empowered.

If we care about real progress on affordable health care, full-employment at living wages, a sustainable energy future, or budget priorities that reflect the real needs of Main Street - we have to break the political power of inside-the-beltway lobbyists and special interests, and return accountability to the voters, the real stakeholders in American democracy.

This will be a tough fight. There are many special interests and sacred cows, all protected by the existing rules of the game. Money flows in; political favors flow out - both political parties, nearly every lawmaker, and certainly every corporate enterprise that is regulated by, funded by, or depends on the economic or public policy framework in Washington, D.C.

And - this is a fight we can't ignore. Our lives and our future depend on it.

Let's organize, to make this happen!

WPC is calling on all supporters to organize within each Congressional district - as well as statewide, and in your neighborhood - to encourage support of the FENA bill from our state's U.S. senators and members of Congress, and to champion its passage - this year!

Our advocacy work falls into several categories:

And lastly, prepare for a tremendous celebration when we prevail!

Additional reports and downloads are on the WPC Resources page, including: