Trevor Potter Statement in Support of CLEAN Politics Act

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Today, the CLEAN Politics Act was introduced in both the House and the Senate. Trevor Potter, CLC President, and a former Republican Chairman of the Federal Election Commission, released the following statement in support:

“The CLEAN Politics Act is exactly the sort of proposal we need to check the excessive influence of lobbyists and big money in our politics. Lobbyists have a constitutional right to express the views of their clients to legislators – but that activity should be separated from fundraising for the very members they are lobbying.

Lobbyists have long used loopholes in the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) to bundle campaign contributions together to gain access and undue influence with elected officials. This important bill seeks to close loopholes in the LDA and also bans members of Congress and congressional candidates from soliciting campaign contributions from lobbyists while Congress is in session. This popular reform would keep lobbyists at an arm’s length from the Congressional decision-making process, a change that serves the public interest in creating policy that is responsive to constituents, rather than special interests.”

Potter also co-chaired the American Bar Association Task Force that recommended that Congress limit fundraising by lobbyists for members of Congress they lobby.