Kilmer to Hold Campaign Finance Focused Telephone Town Hall on June 11th
Washington D.C. – Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) will hold a telephone town hall with constituents focused on how campaign finance reform is one important way to revitalize our democracy. The event on Thursday, June 11th, at 6:20 p.m. Pacific Time will feature special guest Trevor Potter, former Federal Election Commission Chairman. Along with working as General Counsel to the presidential campaign of John McCain, Potter was the lawyer that helped Stephen Colbert form his Political Action Committee (PAC) – Making a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow.
During the same week, Kilmer plans to introduce legislation to fix problems facing the Federal Election Commission. A recent New York Times story reported on struggles at the commission to find consensus and to take action against election violations.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask Trevor Potter and Representative Kilmer a question or leave a message with their questions or comments on campaign finance reform. A recent New York Times/CBS News poll found that 84 percent of respondents think that money has too much influence in the American political system.
“I want folks to know that their voice matters in our political system,” said Representative Derek Kilmer. “Campaign finance reform is one key way we can bring people-power back to Congress. I hope folks are able to join the conversation with Trevor so we can talk about the best ways to revitalize our democracy and focus on citizens rather than special interests.”
In recent years, major Supreme Court decisions have led to increased spending on political campaigns. During the 2014 election cycle candidates, parties, and outside groups raised and spent more than $3.5 billion. Also in 2014, the Supreme Court in McCutcheon vs. FEC struck down limits on overall campaign contributions individual donors can make to candidates, political parties, and political committees. Previously in 2010 the Supreme Court ruled in their Citizens United decision that corporations, labor, and certain advocacy groups should not face limits on independent political expenditures.
From his first days in Congress Kilmer has been a strong proponent for campaign finance reform. The Close the Floodgates Act was originally introduced by Kilmer last December and would reverse the tenfold increase in the amount of money donors can contribute to political parties.
Kilmer is a sponsor of the Disclose Act to bring transparency to the election process by uncovering campaign-related spending by outside groups and corporations. He also sponsored an amendment to the Constitution to overturn Supreme Court decisions on campaign finance and clarify the role Congress plays in setting limits on campaign financing. He’s also pushing for Congress to take up and pass the Government by the People Act to magnify the impact of small-dollar contributions.
Residents of the 6th District who would like to join the call can sign up at http://kilmer.creativengine.com/contact/townhall or send an email to kilmer.teletownhall@mail.house.gov with their name and phone number by 3pm PT on Wednesday, June 10th
Residents who sign up before the deadline will receive a phone call at 6:20pm on Thursday, June 11th inviting them to the town hall.
WHO: Representative Derek Kilmer, Residents of the 6th District
WHAT: Telephone Town Hall
WHEN: Thursday, June 11th at 6:20 pm PT
WHERE: Residents of the 6th District who would like to join the call can sign up at http://kilmer.creativengine.com/contact/townhall or send an email to kilmer.teletownhall@mail.house.gov with their name and phone number by 3pm PT on Wednesday, June 10th
Residents who sign up before the deadline will receive a phone call at 6:20pm on Thursday, June 11th inviting them to the town hall.
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