[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 84 (Friday, June 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 4980, THE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN CAMPAIGNS (CIVIC) 
                                  ACT.

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                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 21, 2002

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I introduced, along with our 
colleague Paul Kanjorski of Pennsylvania, H.R. 4980, the Citizen 
Involvement in Campaigns Act (or the CIVIC Act). This bill is designed 
to encourage Americans who ordinarily do not get involved in politics 
beyond casting a vote every two or four years (that is, if they bother 
to vote at all) to become more active participants in our political 
process.
  Most would agree that the ideal way to finance political campaigns is 
through a broad base of donors. But, as we are all painfully aware, the 
economic realities of modern-day campaigning virtually oblige many 
candidates to focus most of their efforts toward collecting funds from 
a few large donors. This reality alienates many Americans from our 
political system and opens us up to the now-familiar charge that we are 
``bought and paid for'' by special interests.
  While recent campaign finance reform efforts have focused on limiting 
the impact of large contributions, past reforms have been designed to 
enfranchise small donors. For example, from 1972 to 1986, the federal 
government offered a tax credit for small political contributions. This 
offered an incentive for average Americans to contribute to campaigns 
in small amounts while simultaneously encouraging politicians to 
solicit donations from a larger pool of contributors. Additionally, six 
geographically and politically diverse states currently offer their own 
tax credits for political contributions. These state-level credits 
differ in many respects, but all share the same goal of encouraging 
average Americans to provide a counterweight against the influence, 
real or perceived, of big-money special interests.
  The CIVIC Act will reestablish and update this old tax credit 
program. Taxpayers can choose between a 100 percent tax credit for 
political contributions to federal candidates or parties (limited to 
$200 per taxable year) or a 100 percent tax deduction (limited to $600 
per taxable year). Both limits, of course, are doubled for joint 
returns. As long as political parties and candidates promote the 
existence of these credits, the program would have a real impact and 
aid in making elections at all levels more grassroots affairs than they 
are now.
  This is a limited tax credit for political contributions that can be 
a cost-efficient method for helping balance the influence of large 
donors in the American electoral process. Instead of driving away most 
Americans from participation in political life, we can invite them in. 
I encourage you to cosponsor my bill and join in this worthwhile 
effort.




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