In The News
Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), the leading House proponent of campaign finance reform, thinks much of this coverage missed the mark. While the Election Day results matter, they are only a means to the real end -- the legislation and regulation that does and does not move in the next Congress.
The public, Sarbanes believes, knows full well the insidious influence of money in politics. “The rational voter will say to himself, why should I bother voting if the person I’m voting for is a captive of special interests,” he said. “As a result, people are staying at home.”
As candidates across the country engage in another mind-bogglingly expensive election — one estimate has put the cost of the midterms at nearly $4 billion — Sarbanes has been using his own campaign to test a proposal he believes would shift the emphasis from big money to small-dollar donors.
U.S. Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin announced the funds in a newsconference Monday, along with Reps. C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes, James T. Smith Jr., secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman, House Speaker Michael E. Busch, state Sen. James "Ed" DeGrange, Sr., Fort Meade Garrison Commander Colonel Brian Foley and BWI Partnership Chairman Gene Condon.
UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD, joined Rep. C. A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (D-2nd District), Rep. John Sarbanes (D-3rd District), and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-7th District) at the University of Maryland BioPark on Oct. 27 to announce the program.
Both groups support a bill by Rep. John Sarbanes that would create a matching fund and a $25 tax credit for small donations. The Baltimore County Democrat has emerged as a leading voice raising concerns about the influence of money in politics.
Sarbanes said the University impacted his desire to serve in government because volunteerism and public service are part of the University’s culture. While he personally was very involved civically before attending the University, Sarbanes said his experience in the Wilson School and his participation in volunteer programs throughout his four years reinforced his commitment to give back to the community.
Congressman John Sarbanes received the Pericles Award. Sarbanes is a Democratic U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 3rd congressional district, which includes the state’s capital.
U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin said the money was the work of several public officials, including U.S. Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes.
We also hear from Rep. John Sarbanes. The congressman from Maryland's Third District talks about his effort to get "small money" back into politics in the wake of the Supreme Court's Citizens United and McCutcheon decisions.