ban members of Congress from soliciting campaign contributions, the
Florida Republican had only six co-sponsors.
Then, three weeks
ago, “60 Minutes” did a sympathetic piece on Jolly’s idea, giving
national attention to the scandal of lawmakers spending 30 or more hours
a week dialing for dollars.
And now? The number of co-sponsors
on Jolly’s bill has jumped from six all the way up to — um, eight. No
senator has come forward with similar legislation.
Jolly,
appearing Monday morning at the National Press Club with his lead
Democratic co-sponsor, Rep. Rick Nolan (Minn.), was not surprised.
“We’ve got six more co-sponsors than I thought we might have,” he said.
It’s “a heartbreaking reflection on what the priorities of the Congress
are. . . . A member’s political survival depends on raising money —
that’s the reality.”
appearing Monday morning at the National Press Club with his lead
Democratic co-sponsor, Rep. Rick Nolan (Minn.), was not surprised.
“We’ve got six more co-sponsors than I thought we might have,” he said.
It’s “a heartbreaking reflection on what the priorities of the Congress
are. . . . A member’s political survival depends on raising money —
that’s the reality.”
Why wouldn't they want to change this?
Lawmakers could do this to fight corruption. But they won’t. - The Washington Post
John Oliver did a piece on that too. He found a study which estimated that senators spend about 2/3 of their time raising money in their last two years before an election. That's absurd! Think about all of the wasted effort which could go to actually governing. Then think about the house of representatives where they are elected every two years. Do they spend 2/3 of their time in office raising money?
ReplyDeleteWow. That's crazy Spencer. I can't say I'm surprised, but I still can't believe this didn't get more support after being on 60 minutes and John Oliver's show. Perhaps most people were like me and just didn't care because that's what they've come to expect from politics.
ReplyDeleteI think it is really sad that this is what we now expect from politics. In completely understand the need to raise money for the campaign and time is needed to be spent on re-election. However, that 2/3 number scares me. It it worrisome how little politicians actually do their job. They get voted by the public for a reason and they should be doing their job. This country has gone in a terrible direction if this is all that matters to our leaders and lawmakers.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised to see the actual number 2/3. It's very unfortunate, but I highly doubt that this will change anytime soon. Raising money and donations by multiple PACs and other interest groups have been going on for a long time. Ever since Citizens United v. United States, this case broadened definitions of organizations that could make donations. Why would senators and other government officials change this nature when they can take advantage of it?
ReplyDelete