July 2, 2009
Washington, D.C. – The Fair Elections Coalition, which represents seven national campaign reform organizations, praised Rep. Joe Sestak today for his leadership in tackling the issue of special interest money in Washington, D.C. by cosponsoring the bipartisan Fair Elections Now Act, H.R. 1826.
“With the debates on health care, energy, and financial regulation taking center stage in Washington, big moneyed interests have their checkbooks out. The best way to ensure that the voices of all citizens are heard is to change the way congressional elections are financed, and that’s why we are greatly appreciative of Rep. Sestak for signing onto the Fair Elections Now Act.
“We look forward to working with Rep. Sestak to pass this practical proven campaign reform program.”
The Fair Elections Now Act provides qualified congressional candidates public financing once they demonstrate broad public support by raising a large number of small donations. The House legislation, which was introduced by Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), has nearly 60 cosponsors. For a full summary of the legislation, visit fairelectionsnow.org.
The Fair Elections Now Coalition includes the Brennan Center for Justice, Change Congress, Common Cause, Democracy Matters, Public Campaign, Public Citizen, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Three-dozen additional organizations have endorsed the Fair Elections Now Act.
Born and raised in Delaware County, former 3-star Admiral Joe Sestak served in the Navy for 31 years and now serves as the Representative from the 7th District of Pennsylvania. He led a series of operational commands at sea, including Commander of an aircraft carrier battle group of 30 U.S. and allied ships with over 15,000 sailors and 100 aircraft that conducted operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. After 9/11, Joe was the first Director of "Deep Blue,” the Navy's anti-terrorism unit that established strategic and operations policies for the "Global War on Terrorism." He served as President Clinton's Director for Defense Policy at the National Security Council in the White House, and holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. According to the office of the House Historian, Joe is the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Media Contact:
Jonathon Dworkin
jonathon.dworkin@mail.house.gov
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