Sarbanes Calls for Reform of Big Money Politics That Blocks Action on Climate Change

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined members of the U.S. Congress at a rally calling for immediate action on climate change legislation. Protecting the environment for the next generation is a top priority for Congressman Sarbanes. Unfortunately, the oil and gas industries and other big money campaign donors have spent millions of dollars on a campaign to deny the science behind climate change and thwart Congressional action. In an effort to make our democracy more responsive to the priorities of everyday citizens, he has introduced the Government By the People Act, a bipartisan measure that would empower the voices of individuals in our country's elections:

"I care deeply about the Chesapeake Bay and I want to thank and salute the generation that's going to save our planet. There are times in the history of this country when it's been young people who have stepped forward and have made the difference, have taken ownership, have taken the lead, and really have pulled the rest of us with them and that's what you're going to do when it comes to this issue of climate change.

"But we need to be clear-eyed about this – the people that are polluting our environment are the same people that are polluting our democracy by pouring millions of dollars into campaigns. They're the same people who are pouring millions of dollars into lobbyists and standing in the way of progress on climate change and protecting the environment. So, if we're going to take back our environment, we have to take back our democracy.

"We have to reform the way campaigns are funded and we have to lift up the voices of everyday citizens and we do that with reform like the Government By the People Act in the House and the Fair Elections Now Act here in the Senate. If we lift up the voices of everyday citizens, we will be lifting up the voices of those who care deeply about the environment, about clean air and clean water, and solving this issue of climate change. And we will make a difference for our country."