Congress will Soon Consider Bill Providing Public Financing for All Federal Election Campaigns

Interview with Nick Nyhart, executive director of Public Campaign, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

A blizzard of recent congressional corruption scandals have highlighted the ongoing difficulties in trying to get big money out of U.S. politics, despite campaign finance reform laws passed by Congress in the early years of the Bush administration and an ethics bill just passed by the Democratic-controlled Congress. Presidential contenders for 2008-- Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain -- have both already declared their intention to forego public campaign cash in order to exceed federal limits and raise much more money from private interests.

Many members of Congress as well, have already figured out ways around tougher ethics rules for lobbyists. For example, while lobbyists can no longer purchase politicians' fancy meals -- as a way of buying access and favorable treatment for their favored legislation -- lobbyists instead can now make contributions to a politician's campaign coffers.

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Nick Nyhart, executive director of Public Campaign, which has for years been a persistent advocate for public financing of electoral campaigns. While two states -- Arizona and Maine -- have a successful track record of such public funding, and other states are moving in that direction, Nyhart says a comprehensive solution lies in passage of a federal law covering all U.S. congressional elections. After the Watergate scandal about 30 years ago, and again in the early 1990s, attempts were made to push through similar measures, but Nyhart explains why the bill about to be introduced is more far-reaching.

Contact Public Campaign by calling (202) 293-0222 or visit their website at www.publiccampaign.org

Related links:

"New Model Needed for Presidential Public Financing," Public Campaign, Jan. 24, 2007

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