Failure to Advance Campaign Finance Reform a Blow to Fair Elections

Washington, D.C., September 12, 2014 — In response to yesterday's Senate cloture vote on the proposed Constitutional Amendment to allow Congress to regulate campaign finance reform, Rachel Laser, Deputy Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:

We are disappointed by the Senate vote to block a joint resolution (S.J.Res.19) proposing an amendment to the Constitution that would allow Congress to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures. Failure to advance this resolution demonstrates disregard for the core principle of equality that should guide our elections and civic participation. As Reform Jews, we must heed warnings of our ancient texts that speak to the dangers of mixing money and politics (Deuteronomy 16). We urge Congress to continue efforts to ensure that all citizens have a fair voice in our elections and in our democracy.