Office of Rep. Derek Kilmer announcement.
U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) received an “A” rating on the 2022 legislative scorecard released this week by End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund. The scorecard tracks Members’ support for legislation to reduce the role of big money and special interests in politics, restore ethics in Washington, and protect and expand the right to vote.
“There’s too much money, too many special interests, and too little accountability in our government,” said Rep. Kilmer. “That’s why – since day one as our region’s representative – I’ve been working to reduce the role of money in politics, to fix the broken political system, and get Congress back on track. I’m proud that my work is being recognized by the nation’s leading organization working to ensure a federal government that works for the people – not for special interests. I’ll keep working to make government work better for the folks I represent.”
“For too long, dark money has flooded and overwhelmed our political system. Billionaire and corporate backed groups have pushed policies that favor their wealthy donors at the expense of hard-working Americans. That’s why we are so grateful for Representative Kilmer, who’s stood up to the rich and powerful dark money groups that have too much influence in Washington, and why we gave him an A on our 2022 scorecard,” said End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund President Tiffany Muller.
According to the End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund, Rep. Kilmer received an “A” grade based on his support for legislation to end the dominance of big money in politics, safeguard American elections from foreign interference, and protect and expand the right to vote.
Criteria on the scorecard included co-sponsorship and a vote in favor of H.R. 1, the For the People Act – a sweeping package of reform bills aimed at strengthening the voice of the American people in their democracy by making it easier to vote, reducing the role of special interests in the political process, and ensuring public officials work for the public interest. This comprehensive reform package, which Rep. Kilmer co-sponsored, included two bipartisan bills he introduced – The Honest Ads Act and the Resorting Integrity to America’s Election Act – which aim to increase transparency in our campaign finance and election laws.
In 2019, Rep. Kilmer was awarded the inaugural “Teddy Roosevelt Courage Award” for his work to fix the broken political system and reduce the role of money in politics by Issue One, a leading cross-partisan political reform organization. In receiving the award, Kilmer was recognized for his leadership in chairing the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, a committee tasked with identifying reforms to Congress more responsive to the needs of the American people. In addition, Issue One highlighted Kilmer’s leadership on campaign finance reform and working to reduce the role of money in politics.
The most significant thing that Kilmer et. al. could do in Congress to limit the affects of money in our political campaigns would be to vote for term limits. But that’s not going to happen. Everything else is just “eye wash” that doesn’t really change anything. Despite years of “campaign reform” laws, there are always loopholes that allow long standing politicians to circumvent or subvert the law for their own political benefit.
What about having term limits on SCOTUS? Least a code of conduct?
Perhaps, but I think the longevity issue has value in the case of the SCOTUS. Representatives are elected for 2 year to reflect the changes in society; Senators 6 years to be more deliberative across longer periods; and Supreme Court Justices for a “life time” to reflect the longevity of our Constitution as the standard against which all laws are measured regardless of short or mid term perspective.
The key difference is that Justices are not elected and then up for reelection as are Representatives and Senators and thus theoretically not concerned with the next election, fund raising, lobbying and in many cases self enrichment.
The code of conduct comes (or should come) into play during confirmation hearings as compared to elections of Representatives and Senators (who are responsible for investigating potential judges). For me the most important investigative aspect is the judge’s history of adherence to the Constitution in their writings and decisions. Perhaps a case could be made for a cut off age for Justices serving but many are still sharp as a tack even in their 80’s.
Our founders had a stroke of brilliance when set up our political system of three branches and phased in influence short, mid term via elections and long term via appointment. I just think they never imagined that politics would be subverted by a professional political class.
“Professional political class”
Ya, we could do better without that.