[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 121 (Thursday, July 18, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H7136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1315
                  HELP LIMIT CORRUPTION IN WASHINGTON

  (Mr. McNERNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McNERNEY. Madam Speaker, the way we finance campaigns in this 
country is a true threat to our democracy. This structure is a leading 
cause of our Nation's political paralysis and voter apathy.
  In the book ``Dark Money,'' Jane Mayer wrote: ``In 2006, only 2 
percent of `outside' political spending came from `social welfare' 
groups that hid their donors. In 2010, this number rose to 40 percent, 
masking hundreds of millions of dollars.''
  Since the 2010 Citizens United decision and related decisions, this 
number is even greater today. The massive amount of money flowing into 
our political system corrupts the political process and stymies 
effectiveness.
  That is why I introduced a proposed constitutional amendment to 
reform our broken campaign finance system. My amendment would eliminate 
political action committees and ``dark money.'' Funding for a candidate 
or ballot measure would be limited to the use of a public financing 
system or donations given directly to the campaign by individual 
citizens. This would end much of the corruption in Washington.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to do everything possible to help 
limit corruption in Washington, including supporting this legislation.

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