Campaign finance reform

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No matter your number one issue, I ask that you make campaign finance reform your number two. 

The corrupting influence of special interest money in politics, and the time spent in its pursuit, are at the heart of the dysfunction in Washington, DC. I am on a mission to repair our government and restore Americans’ confidence in our elections.

– Dean Phillips

Dean’s plan

Dean is a Vice Chair of the Democracy Reform Task Force and has been a leading voice for campaign finance and ethics reforms in Congress, helping pass the most sweeping reform bill in recent history. Dean is also the only member of Congress who refuses to accept any money from PACs, special interest groups, federal lobbyists or his fellow members of Congress and their campaign committees. While he ultimately supports overturning the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, Dean believes these are the steps we can we can take that would make a meaningful difference in the meantime:

Increase transparency in political spending

Dean believes we must shine a bright light on the massive amount of so-called “dark money” being poured into our elections. That starts with making the DISCLOSE Act, which Dean voted for and helped to pass in the House, the law of the land. This bill would require anyone spending money to influence federal elections to disclose their donors. Dean also cosponsored the Honest Ads Act, which would apply the same disclosure standards to online ads that are applied to all other political ads.

Lower contribution and expenditure limits

Dean supports lowering both contribution and spending limits, and he wants to enhance efforts to encourage greater participation from Americans contributing at lower dollar amounts. That way, candidates would have the ability to raise the resources they need from a broader base of people, rather than relying on a small number of wealthy donors.

Eliminate foreign interference in our elections

Dean supports legislation like the Get Foreign Money Out of Elections Act, which would close a campaign finance loophole that allows American-registered but foreign-owned and controlled corporations to funnel unlimited amounts of money into U.S. elections.

Close the revolving door of money and influence

Dean is working to close the so-called “revolving door” that exists between members of Congress and individuals working in the federal government who then cash in on their connections and influence by taking lucrative lobbying jobs. He also supports barring political appointees from lobbying for five years after serving in the Executive Branch.

Inspire collaboration and increase participation

Dean believes Election Day should be a national holiday to afford more Americans the opportunity to exercise their right and responsibility to vote. He also supports electoral reforms— including requiring states to establish independent, multi-party citizen redistricting commissions; ranked choice voting; term limits; and the nationwide expansion of Minnesota’s successful same-day voter registration rules.

Let’s create change—together.

Join the DeanTeam—a diverse, committed team of neighbors who are creating change in communities across Minnesota’s Third District.

Whether you’d like to volunteer at an upcoming campaign event or lend a hand from home, there are always opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

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