Skip to main content

Sarbanes Statement on Omnibus and Campaign Finance Riders

December 16, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) issued the following statement today after Democratic and Republican lawmakers announced an agreement on this year's spending bill that did not include the most damaging policy riders to further weaken campaign finance rules:

"The American people are tired of big-money donors and special interests calling the shots here in Washington. That's why we fought back against backroom deals that would have gutted coordination rules and dismantled the presidential public financing system – deals that would have given even more power and influence to the wealthy and well-connected. We succeeded in stopping the most egregious campaign finance riders from being included in this year's spending bill and we need to win more of these fights if we want to earn back our credibility with the public."

As the Omnibus negotiations began, Congressman Sarbanes led 115 Members of Congress in penning a letter to House and Senate leadership, which encouraged top negotiators to fight all efforts include controversial campaign finance riders in this year's Omnibus.

###