April 13, 2018

Kilmer to Host Transparency Teletownhall with Special Guest Nick Penniman, CEO of Issue One--WEDNESDAY

On the heels of congressional testimony from Facebook’s founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, US Representative Derek Kilmer will host a teletownhall focused on steps Congress can take to safeguard America’s elections, and shine a light on the murky world of political advertising. The event is Wednesday, April 18 at 6:00 pm PST.

“Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony made for interesting television, but it doesn’t get Congress closer to voting on legislation to protect our elections from the influence of deep-pocketed special interests or foreign entities,” Rep. Derek Kilmer said. “There’s clearly far too much money in politics. I want to update folks in our neck of the woods on what we can do to change that.”

Nick Penniman, the CEO of Issue One, will join Kilmer to answer constituent questions about policies and ideas that could reform the campaign finance system and make government more accessible and accountable. Kilmer and Penniman will discuss the Honest Ads Act, which would require the online hosts of political advertisements to follow the same disclosure rules that television and radio stations must follow. They’ll also field questions from listeners in Washington’s 6th Congressional District.

"Leadership in Congress needs to hold hearings on the Honest Ads Act now. We need to understand who is trying to interfere in our politics and manipulate our votes," said Issue One President Nick Penniman. "I agree with the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia who said anonymous political campaigns do not represent the home of the brave. Congressman Kilmer's work on the Honest Ads Act is an example of a strong bipartisan effort that reminds us that some lawmakers are listening to the concerns of the American people." 

Issue One is a non-profit group focused on bringing both parties together to solve the root causes of the dysfunction crippling Washington.

In addition to Wednesday’s teletownhall, Kilmer participated in four in-person town hall meetings last week. He participated in a town hall about gun violence organized by high school students in Tacoma, and hosted three town halls focused on college affordability at college campuses across Washington’s 6th Congressional District.

Members of the public are encouraged to participate. To join the call, participants can send an email to kilmer.teletownhall@mail.house.gov with their name and phone number by noon PT on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

Residents who sign up before the deadline will receive a phone call just before 6:00pm Wednesday night inviting them to the town hall which will last about one hour.

Details: Transparency Teletownhall

Date: Wednesday April 18, 2018

Time: 6:00 pm PST

Participants: Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Nick Penniman, CEO of Issue One and residents of Washington’s 6th Congressional District

RSVP: Contact kilmer.teletownhall@mail.house.gov before noon on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 to participate.