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RELEASE: REPS. KHANNA, PHILLIPS REINTRODUCE NO PAC ACT TO GET BIG MONEY OUT OF POLITICS

October 4, 2022

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) reintroduced the No PAC Act. The bill would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit members of Congress and those running for a U.S. House or Senate seat from accepting contributions from a political action committee, other than that of the given candidate. It would also prohibit the establishment of leadership PACs.

"PACs shouldn't get to override the voice of the American people through spending obscene amounts of money on elections every year," said Rep. Khanna. "I'm proud to join Rep. Phillips in reintroducing this bill to limit how much wealthy donors can give to candidates, giving every American voter a stronger voice in our democracy and leveling the playing field. Our political process shouldn't be up for sale."

"One of the most effective ways to restore peoples' faith in government is to reduce the influence of big money in politics and return power to the people, where it rightfully belongs," said Rep. Phillips. "I am personally committed to never accepting contributions from PACs of any kind. The No PAC Act is a step towards ensuring politicians are more responsive to their constituents than to their political donors."

Rep. Khanna was among just six members of the House of Representatives who did not accept contributions from PACs during the 2016 election. He was also the only member to not accept leadership PAC contributions that cycle. Rep. Phillips has never accepted any contributions from PACs of any kind.

Since the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling ended caps on spending by corporations and unions over a decade ago, super PACs have flooded our elections with billions of dollars, including $774,432,762 spent in the 2022 cycle alone. This legislation would implement common sense reforms to strengthen the voice of the American people in our democracy.

Read the legislation online here.