Post Archive by Month: May,2019

Special counsel Mueller’s remarks on election interference by foreign actors underline need for bipartisan measures like the Honest Ads Act

Honest Ads, Uncategorized

In response to special counsel Robert Mueller’s public remarks today that Russia’s multiple, systematic efforts to interfere in our elections “deserve the attention of every American,” Issue One CEO Nick Penniman released the following statement: “Special counsel Mueller repeatedly stressed that there was widespread, organized interference in our elections by a foreign power, and that all Americans need to be

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FEC approves proposal offering cybersecurity services to campaigns

Federal Election Commission

At today’s Federal Election Commission (FEC) meeting, Chair Ellen Weintraub announced that the commission has issued a final advisory opinion approving the proposal of Defending Digital Campaigns (DDC), a bipartisan group (led by former campaign managers of Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns) that plans to offer cybersecurity services to political candidates and party committees at free or reduced rates. Weintraub

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Modernizing committee unanimously passes first transparency reform measures

Uncategorized

As the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress voted out its first series of reforms today, Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee released the following statement: “At a time when politics is so divisive, it is refreshing to see bipartisanship in action. It is also heartening that the modernizing committee is already moving to increase transparency and help make

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Congressional leadership PACs continue to subsidize lavish lifestyles

Federal

Private jets, luxury hotels, and expensive meals are par for the course as a majority of leadership PAC spending strays further from its intended purposes. A new report today released by Issue One and Campaign Legal Center (CLC) shows that instead of doling out funds to political allies, members of Congress routinely use leadership PAC funds to pay for expensive meals, rounds of golf,

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Justice Department indictment highlights tiniest sliver of money from secret and foreign sources that is influencing our elections.

Accountability

On Friday, the Justice Department indicted Prakazrel “Pras” Michel and Low Taek Jho for conspiring to make and conceal foreign and conduit campaign contributions during the 2012 presidential election.  Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee issued the following statement:  “This indictment highlights the tiniest sliver of money coming from secret and foreign sources that is influencing our elections. Our broken

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Issue One remembers the lives of ReFormers Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA)

ReFormers Caucus

Issue One mourns the loss of two ReFormers Caucus members, former Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and former Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) who contributed their leadership and service to the work of Issue One’s bipartisan ReFormers Caucus. Sen. Lugar, age 87, and Rep. Tauscher, age 67, passed away in late April. As a leader on foreign policy, Sen. Lugar represented Indiana

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Federal Election Commission discusses, then tables, proposal to speed up its enforcement process

Federal Election Commission

At today’s public meeting of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Commissioner Steven Walther, a self-identified independent who is typically part of the FEC’s Democratic bloc, introduced a measure that aims to speed up the agency’s enforcement process. Currently, enforcement matters can linger for up to four years before the agency is required to take any action. Once the matter is

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115 Republican and Democratic former elected officials: It is time to prevent foreign interference and pass the Honest Ads Act.

Honest Ads

Today, 29 members of Congress in both chambers united to support the re-introduced Honest Ads Act. Issue One recruited 115 former members of Congress, governors, and Cabinet officials to sign on to the following letter, which was then sent to Capitol Hill calling on Congress to pass the Honest Ads Act and defend our elections from foreign interference.  Special Counsel

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Republicans and Democrats in both chambers unite to protect U.S. elections from foreign interference with Honest Ads Act

Honest Ads

Today, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the Honest Ads Act (S. 1356) to combat foreign interference in U.S. elections. The bill is the best first step to stopping hidden, foreign disinformation campaigns in our elections. A bipartisan companion measure was also introduced in the House by Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY),

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Connect with Us

Congress needs to act immediately to provide states with the emergency federal funding they need to run safe, secure and credible elections in November. The previous federal funding was an important down payment, but reports from state and local election officials indicate substantially more federal emergency assistance is needed as soon as possible. Issue One and many others are working to convince Senators to vote in July for more funding so that our November elections are safe, secure, and fair.