The For the People Act is a once-in-a-generation anti-corruption, voting rights and government ethics bill that passed the House one year ago
In 2019, a coalition comprised entirely of corporate special interest groups signed a letter stating their opposition to the For the People Act
Rep. Upton, a Big Money 20 incumbent, voted against the For the People Act and raked in over $511,000 in contributions from the bill’s opponents
One year ago, the Democratic House majority, led by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Sarbanes, passed the For the People Act (H.R. 1), the most sweeping anti-corruption, voting rights, and government reform bill since Watergate. Rep. Fred Upton (MI-06) voted against the historic anti-corruption bill because his corporate and special interest donors demanded him to. Those same donors have given over $511,000 in contributions to Upton.
In January and March of 2019, ahead of the House vote on H.R.1, a coalition of corporate and special interests wrote letters stating their opposition to the bill. The groups opposed the bill for the exact reason it’s necessary: it will give regular people a bigger voice in our democracy while reducing the power of big donors and corporations over our democracy.
“Rooting out corruption, getting big money out of politics, and protecting and expanding the right to vote, are reforms that every member of Congress should champion,” said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United. “But in Fred Upton’s vote against H.R.1, he stood against these crucial reforms because his corporate and special interest donors demanded it. Michiganders won’t forget this betrayal, and we’ll make sure Upton’s vote haunts him in November.”
In January, End Citizens United Action Fund released its first annual legislative scorecard that tracked and graded the efforts of every member of Congress on money in politics and government reform issues. Rep. Fred Upton received an “F” for failing to support common sense legislation that roots out corruption, increases transparency, and strengthens ethics in government.
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