[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 3, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H1022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              USING TAX DOLLARS TO FUND CAMPAIGNS IS WRONG

  (Ms. MALLIOTAKIS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1 shamefully allows candidates for 
Congress to use tax dollars to fund campaigns with a $6 match for every 
$1 raised. Any normal person would call this a form of embezzlement.
  Tax dollars are supposed to be used to maintain our transportation 
infrastructure, fund our schools, and keep the public safe, not to fund 
campaigns.
  As a representative from New York City, which has public financing of 
campaigns, and as a former candidate for mayor, I can tell you that it 
does nothing to take big money out of politics, and it does nothing to 
level the playing field. Bill de Blasio still received big donations 
bundled by lobbyists and special interests, and I would have still been 
outspent 4 to 1 with or without matching funds.
  Using taxpayer money to fund political campaigns is not only wrong; 
it is an abuse of taxpayers and has led to more corruption. Multiple 
candidates and elected officials in New York City were convicted for 
exploiting the system and developing schemes to illegally pad their 
campaigns with taxpayer money.
  Additionally, at a time when so many Americans question the integrity 
of our election system and are looking for safeguards to protect their 
vote, this bill bans States from having voter ID and implements same-
day voter registration, which does not give election boards the proper 
time to ensure individuals' eligibility and further erodes the public 
trust.
  Instead of this ridiculous bill, we should be adopting the Save 
Democracy Act and restoring the trust and integrity of our election 
system.

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