[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17797]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               CIVIC ACT

  (Mr. PETRI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, today's elections are costing more and more 
each year.
  According to the Center for Responsive Politics, winning candidates 
spent an average of $1.5 million in the 2011-2012 election cycle. More 
than $4 billion was contributed to campaigns during the last cycle, 
with 63 percent of this total coming from donors who gave more than 
$200.
  Most would agree that the ideal way to finance political campaigns is 
through a broad base of donors. This is why I propose to bring back the 
Federal tax credit for small campaign contributions. Today, I have 
introduced the Citizen Involvement in Campaigns Act. Under this 
legislation, individuals who donate amounts up to $200 to a Federal 
campaign could receive a tax credit equal to that contribution.
  With more and more campaign operations moving to Web sites and online 
resources, campaigns could tilt the playing field away from special 
interests and large donors and empower small donors and average 
Americans. This bill is a step in the right direction of encouraging 
greater participation in our campaigns, and I urge my colleagues to 
cosponsor this legislation.

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