Rep. Visclosky Expose Shows Need for "Fair Elections" Campaign Reform

Investigation reveals conflicts of interest in earmark procurement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, The Washington Post
published a front-page article on earmarks that Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.)
secured for a handful of campaign contributors, none of which were based in
his home state of Indiana.

"The reported connections between Rep. Visclosky's campaign contributors and
the earmarks he secured are just another example of Washington's pay-to-play
political system," said Nick Nyhart, president and CEO of Public Campaign.

"Sadly, it's no longer a surprise to see these sorts of stories play out in
Washington," said Bob Edgar, president and CEO of Common Cause. "Rep.
Visclosky can make it clear to his constituents that their interests, not
those of powerful campaign contributors, come first by supporting the Fair
Elections Now Act."

The Fair Elections Now Act would allow congressional candidates to run for
office without having to rely on big campaign contributions. Candidates could
run their campaigns using a mixture of small donations and public funding, and
take office unencumbered by the agendas and expectations of large donors.

The legislation (S. 752 and H.R. 1826) was introduced in March by Assistant
Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and House Democratic Caucus Chair
John Larson (D-Conn.). In addition to Rep. Larson, the House Fair Elections
Now Act has 107 cosponsors.

To learn more about Fair Elections, visit www.fairelectionsnow.org.

Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to restoring
the core values of American democracy, reinventing an open, honest, and
accountable government that works for the public interest, and empowering
ordinary people to make their voices heard.

Based in Washington, D.C., Public Campaign is a national non-profit
non-partisan organization dedicated to sweeping campaign reform laws that aim
to dramatically reduce the role of big money in politics.

SOURCE Common Cause and Public Campaign

Rick Bielke of Public Campaign, +1-202-293-0222 or Mary Boyle of Common Cause,
+1-202-736-5770