[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 167 (Thursday, November 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN CAMPAIGNS (CIVIC) ACT

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                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing legislation to 
establish a program of limited tax credits and tax deductions to get 
average Americans more involved in the political process. This bill, 
the Citizen Involvement in Campaigns (CIVIC) Act, will broaden the base 
of political contributors.
  According to the Center for Responsive Politics, during the 2011-2012 
election cycle candidates winning a seat in the House spent an average 
of more than $1.5 million. Viewed in the aggregate, more than $4.25 
billion was contributed to campaigns for federal office, with more than 
63 percent of this total given in chunks of $200 or more. Donors making 
contributions of $200 or more were a small segment of our population, 
about one-half of one-percent of all adults (Center for Responsive 
Politics). Is it any wonder then that some believe that large campaign 
donors have undue influence with the winning candidates?
  We need to take a fresh look at innovative approaches to campaign 
finance reform, with special attention paid to ideas that encourage, 
and not restrict, greater participation in our campaigns. Toward this 
end, I have been advocating tax credits and deductions for small 
political contributions for many years. An updated tax credit system 
would be a simple and effective means of balancing big donors and 
bringing individual contributors back to our campaigns. The impact of 
this counterweight will reduce the burden of raising money, as well as 
the appearance of impropriety that accompanies the money chase.
  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 lead many candidates to 
focus most of their efforts on collecting funds from a few large 
donors. This reality alienates many Americans from the political 
process.
  The concept of empowering small donors is not a new idea. For 
example, from 1972 to 1986, the federal government offered a tax credit 
for small political contributions. This provided 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. Currently, five geographically and 
politically diverse states (Oregon, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia, and 
Arkansas.) offer their own tax credits for political contributions. 
These state-level credits vary in many respects, but all share the same 
goal of encouraging citizens to become more involved.
  The CIVIC Act can begin the process of building this counterweight 
for federal elections. 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.
  The CIVIC Act will reestablish and update the discontinued federal 
tax credit. Taxpayers can choose between a 100 percent tax credit for 
political contributions to federal candidates or national political 
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 can have 
a real impact and aid in making elections more grassroots affairs than 
they are today.
  A limited tax credit for political contributions can be a bipartisan, 
cost-efficient method for helping balance the influence of large money 
donors in the American electoral process. Instead of driving away most 
Americans from participation in political life, we can offer an 
invitation for citizens to play a larger role in political campaigns. 
It seems to me that this will be a fruitful way to clean up our system, 
while at the same time convincing Americans that they actually have a 
meaningful stake in elections. I encourage my colleagues to cosponsor 
the Citizen Involvement in Campaigns Act.

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