In 2019, a coalition comprised entirely of corporate special interest groups signed a letter stating their opposition to the For the People Act
Sen. Collins, a Big Money 20 incumbent, voted against the For the People Act and raked in over $607,000 in support 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/S. 949), the most sweeping anti-corruption, voting rights, and government ethics bill in generations. But Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and the Republican-controlled Senate have repeatedly dismissed bringing the bill up for a debate or vote because her corporate and special interest donors demanded it. Those same donors have given over $607,000 in contributions and outside spending help to Collins.
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 Senator Susan Collins’ opposition to the For the People Act makes clear that she stands against these crucial reforms because her corporate and special interest donors demanded it. We’ll make sure Mainers don’t forget Collins’ betrayal 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. Senator Susan Collins 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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