March 7, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 41 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H2509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, AND OF THE PEOPLE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Stanton) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address perhaps the most 
important reform legislation to protect and strengthen our democracy in 
a generation: H.R. 1, the For the People Act.
  We have a responsibility, an obligation, to make sure that our 
government always remains one of the people, by the people, and for the 
people. But the truth is Congress has not done enough to protect the 
voices of everyday Americans and to make sure that our government 
institutions are working for them.
  The American people know it, and, Mr. Speaker, I believe that is 
exactly why they voted for new leadership in our people's House. They 
know what is happening to our political system. The dark money, the 
attack ads from secret, fly-by-night groups, the incredible influence 
special interests seem to have over too many political leaders. They 
see it every day when the system that used to work so well for the 
middle class is now rigged against them.
  So much of it is the result of the Supreme Court's Citizens United 
decision. Consider the facts: From 2008 to 2016, the amount of outside 
spending to influence our elections has increased tenfold, reaching an 
astonishing $1.4 billion during our last presidential election.
  These billions being spent to influence elections and politicians, 
they aren't coming from everyday Americans, but are more likely coming 
from Wall Street, Big Pharma, and other high-powered interests working 
against the rest of us. We can do better and, with H.R. 1, we will do 
better.
  This transformative set of reforms will shine a light on dark money 
and return power to the people. It puts disclosure front and center by 
requiring political groups to disclose their large donors, bringing 
dark money out of the shadows for good.
  H.R. 1 recognizes a simple principle: The American people ought to 
know who is writing big checks to their elected officials and 
candidates for office.
  By curbing the influence of special interests, we can lift the voices 
of everyday Americans and we can better focus on the issues that matter 
most, like quality jobs, affordable healthcare, clean air and water, 
and strong infrastructure.
  Mr. Speaker, history has its eyes on us today. Let us, once again, 
resolve to make sure that our government remains one of the people, by 
the people and, of course, for the people.

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