Statements & press releases

FEC deadlocks and greenlights workaround for House members spending on charter and private flights. Personal use of leadership PAC funds should be banned.

Federal Election Commission, Leadership PACs

Earlier this week, the Federal Election Commission deadlocked on, and then dismissed, a case against Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) leadership PAC that alleged the PAC abused its funds by paying for more than $5,500 in private air travel in 2018. “This is further evidence the FEC is busted and broke, and is unable to enforce the most basic rules,” said Issue One

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

Foreign interference

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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Fundraising demands continue to drive lawmakers out of Washington

Congressional dysfunction

In response to Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) citing fundraising demands as a primary reason he’s leaving the Senate, Issue One CEO Nick Penniman released the following statement: “This is further proof that our political system is broken and must be fixed. Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate continue to be repelled from public service by the 20-plus hours

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Modernizing committee unanimously passes first transparency reform measures

Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress

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

Foreign interference

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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Will Democrats embrace dark money to win 2020?

Dark money & super PACs

In response to Politico reporting of the new Democratic secret-money group Future Majority, Issue One CEO Nick Penniman released the following statement:  “The Democratic party has a choice this election cycle: Will they try and win control of the White House and Congress by embracing dark money? Or will they walk their own talk and operate with the same transparency for which

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The special counsel’s report confirms sweeping and systemic foreign interference in our elections.

Foreign interference

Here’s what we knew long before Robert Mueller’s redacted report was released: Foreign governments and anti-American forces want to disrupt U.S. elections. They want to destabilize the sacred processes at the core of our democracy and others around the world. They want to divide the electorate. They want to discredit our form of government so that the stock value of

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Issue One statement: Members of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress should seize this historic opportunity

Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress

Today, the final members of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress were named to complete the newly created committee’s 12-person roster. The Republicans named were Vice-chair Rep. Tom Graves (GA), Rep. Susan Brooks (IN), Rep. Rodney Davis (IL), Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA), Rep. William Timmons (SC), and Rep. Rob Woodall (GA). The Democrats, named earlier this year, were Rep.

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Issue One CEO Nick Penniman: House Democrats must reach out to Republicans to create a bipartisan comprehensive political reform proposal.

Congressional dysfunction

Last week, House Democrats introduced the most robust package of democracy reforms proposed in a generation as their lead priority for the 116th Congress. It is an incredibly heartening and hopeful sign for all of us concerned about the weakening of democracy at home and rapid rise of authoritarianism abroad. But we need more than good policy ideas at this

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Issue One commends U.S. Chamber of Commerce for adding bipartisanship to congressional scorecard, urges business lobby to join fight for political reform

Congressional dysfunction

Issue One CEO Nick Penniman released the following statement:  A significant sign that change is coming to Washington is that one of the largest political juggernauts in the country — the U.S. Chamber of Commerce — is revising its decades-old Congressional scorecard to account for how bipartisan members of Congress are in their legislative work. The Chamber recognizes that dysfunction

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