CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM ??????????

On Wednesday the Senate Rules Committee considered S. 271, the sham campaign finance reform bill being railroaded by the Republicans.

The Republican's intent is clear. This bill is designed to cut off Democratic sources of campaign money, especially for grassroots voter registration and mobilization, while opening doors for corporate and trade association influence in our government.

So brazen are their intentions, in fact, their first item of business was to vote the bill out of committee before any discussion was permitted, despite Democratic objections! Republicans did, however, manage to pass an amendment offered by Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT) to lift those pesky limits on corporations and trade association contributions. The bill now directly undermines the bipartisan campaign reform act of 2002, known as McCain-Feingold.

But for over a week now, ACTivists around the country have made thousands of phone calls and written tens of thousands of letters urging their Democratic Senators to protect the vital role of independent organizations and voices in the political process. The impact of your hard work is clear.

Democratic Senators Durbin, Dayton, Inouye, Byrd and Nelson all asked to be recorded "no" on the committee's procedural vote.

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) asked that his name be removed as a co-sponsor of the bill. He also offered an amendment (which passed) to add a narrow "get out the vote" provision supporting and protecting robust citizen participation.

Thanks to the organizing efforts of progressives around the country, S. 271 emerged from the Senate mark-up in an amended form that will make it much more difficult for the Republican leadership to bring it to the floor for a vote.

In a statement yesterday, Senate Democratic Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV) said, "The illegitimate process that brings this fatally flawed bill closer to the Senate floor should make it clear to McCain-Feingold supporters that Republicans see this bill as an opportunity to subvert that reform legislation to achieve partisan advantage, not as an opportunity to advance real reform."

Your work is paying off but the fight is far from over. If you haven't already, please write your Senators now. Tell them to protect your right to ACT.

For a more detailed and technical explanation of the amendments: http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/

And check out this article from yesterday's Washington Post, April 28, 2005:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/27/AR2005042702222.html

Thanks for all you do.

Harold Ickes, President Steve Rosenthal, CEOAmerica Coming Together


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