In The News
The 2009 law that reauthorized the AmeriCorps service program included an initiative drafted by Rep. John Sarbanes of Baltimore County called Veterans Corps. The program, which President Barack Obama touted during his 2008 campaign, is aimed at recruiting veterans into volunteering, especially for programs that serve other veterans and military families.
From small beginnings, Parks Sausages in Northwest Baltimore became the first African American owned company in the country to go public–the largest in Baltimore, and with a most memorable slogan.
And more Parks Sausages-like companies for Baltimore, too, please–the aim of a federal grant to open a center for entrepreneurs, named for Parks co-founder, the late Ray Haysbert.
“And there’s no better role model. So it’s fitting that it’s being named for him. No better role model… As a community leader, as someone who started a business small and then took it to great heights,” said U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, (D) 3rd Congressional District.
Sarbanes is the author of H.R. 20, the “Government By the People Act,” which would give every citizen taxpayer a $25 “My Voice Tax Credit” for House campaign contributions, and then augment those small contributions – and give candidates a bigger incentive to seek them – with a six-to-one match from a taxpayer-funded “Freedom From Influence Fund.” The bill also would let candidates to earn additional public matching funds within 60 days of the election so that citizen-funded candidates can combat Super PACs and outside groups.
“Even before Citizens United, we had a problem with direct campaign contributions to candidates having a lot of influence,” Sarbanes said, so pursuing a constitutional amendment to overturn that 2010 Supreme Court decision – a longshot at best – wouldn’t solve the problem. Instead, he said, it’s time to “build a different system that gives everyday people power.”
Some might complain that the answer to the corrosive influence of money in politics shouldn’t be putting more even money into politics. But Sarbanes said “the problem is not so much the amount of money – the problem is the source of the money,” coming from a tiny percentage of the mega-rich and amplifying only their interests.
Someone is going to own the levers of government – “either it’s going to be the big money crowd… or it’s going to be the public,” he said. “And if the public wants to own the government, there’s going to be a cost associated that, but it’s a pretty modest investment.”
Representative John Sarbanes of Maryland has become one of the leading campaign finance–reform proponents on Capitol Hill, and recently introduced the Government by the People Act, which would bring a public small-donor matching system to all congressional races. Senator Dick Durbin has a similar bill, the Fair Elections Now Act, in the Senate.
“We’re very encouraged and try to showcase the efforts that are being made at the state and local level,” Sarbanes says. “It’s important to just say to the skeptics out there: ‘This isn’t a pipedream.’”
However, despite broad bipartisan support from the electorate for limiting the influence of money in politics and Sarbanes’s bill garnering a high number of Democratic co-sponsors, the Republican-controlled Congress is unlikely to touch it.
“It’s difficult to imagine a bill now being brought to the floor that would set up a system that we’ve proposed,” Sarbanes admits. But, he says, the task is to build a network of grassroots advocates across the country so that when there is a moment where real reform has a political opening, there’s a solution ready to be pushed through.
“These opportunities can come up suddenly,” Sarbanes adds. “If you’re not ready then, it can pass them by.”
Rep. John Sarbanes, D-District 3
“This morning, I was deeply humbled to hear the Holy Father’s powerful message of peace, healing, hope and justice. Pope Francis reminded us of our collective duty to break cycles of extreme poverty and to provide care and support to people and communities who need it most. He called on us to ensure that our economy benefits hardworking American families. He asked us to open our arms to refugees and immigrants fleeing great hardships in search of a better life. And he challenged us to take immediate action to protect our environment – our ‘common home’ – from the detrimental impacts of climate change.
“It’s my deep hope that the Holy Father’s visit will inspire Congress and the American people to recommit ourselves to these important ideals and to work together in creating a more peaceful, tolerant and just nation.”
"The initiative in California just shows how pervasive this revulsion is in the body politic with the idea that the system is rigged and big money is running the show,” said Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), who sponsored a public financing measure that has been co-sponsored by 153 Democrats and one Republican, Rep. Walter B. Jones (N.C.). “The natural extension of this movement out in states is to bring it to Washington.”
Ms. Clinton’s plan isn’t new. Reformers such as Mr. Sarbanes have been incubating these sorts of proposals for some time. Even some Republicans have occasionally talked up greater transparency. But she deserves credit for putting them at the center of a presidential campaign.
With their outsized campaign contributions, wealthy donors and special interests are buying access and favors with our elected officials. The vast majority of us can't afford to write these big checks, and we're being shut out and left behind. If we are serious about passing meaningful legislation that benefits the many, not the money, then we have to change the way our leaders are elected.
That's why I hope our member of Congress will co-sponsor the Government By the People Act. This important bill, introduced by Rep. John Sarbanes of Maryland and supported by 151 other members of Congress (of both parties), would match small donations with limited public funds, ensuring that candidates have incentive to spend time with voters, not corporate bigwigs and lobbyists. That's the way our democracy is supposed to work. And it's how it can work again, once we pass the Government By the People Act.