WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today made the following statement after voting against Speaker Pelosi’s legislation (H.R. 1) that would require taxpayers to match funds raised by political candidates.

“Speaker Pelosi says she wants to get money out of politics, but actions speak louder than words,” said Bost. “Not only would this sham of a reform bill put more money into politics, it would do so at the taxpayer’s expense. Taxpayers would be forced to match every $1 in ‘small dollar’ donations raised by a candidate 6 times over. That’s $6 of your money for every $1 raised by the candidate, whether you support their positions or not.  There’s a big difference between free speech and forced speech.”

 

NOTE:

Rep. Bost delivered a speech on the House floor opposing H.R. 1, which is available HERE.

 

Background:

H.R. 1 would create a taxpayer-funded slush fund for politicians and political consultants that could also bankroll extremist candidates on both sides of the aisle. The bill would strip critical enforcements that could make it possible for illegal immigrants to vote in federal elections. Additionally, the bill would trample states’ rights and codify ballot harvesting – the practice of political operatives gathering voters’ mail-in ballots and dumping them at the polls.

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