Press Releases

Sen. Thom Tillis’ Opposition to the For the People Act Bought by Corporate Special Interest Money

Mar 09, 2020

In 2019, a coalition comprised entirely of corporate special interest groups signed a letter stating their opposition to the For the People Act

Sen. Tillis, a Big Money 20 incumbent, voted against the For the People Act and raked in over $8,794,000 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 Thom Tillis (R-NC) and the Republican-controlled Senate have repeatedly dismissed bringing the bill up for a debate or vote because his corporate special interest donors demand they do not. Those same donors have given over $8,794,000 in contributions and outside spending help to Tillis.

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 Thom Tillis’ opposition to the For the People Act makes clear that he stands against these crucial reforms because his corporate and special interest donors demanded it. We’ll make sure North Carolinians don’t forget Tillis’ 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 Thom Tillis 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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