“Right now, Washington works great for giant drug companies, just not people trying to fill a prescription. It works great for Big Oil, but not for communities across the country concerned about the climate crisis. We need to rein in the economic and political power of giant corporations, their lobbyists, and the wealthy and well-connected. We can start by getting money out of politics — our democracy is not for sale, and we need to end the influence of big money on our elections. The first thing I would do as President is pass my anti-corruption bill to make our economy, government, and democracy work for everyone.”
Leading by Example:
- Rejects contributions from PACs
- Rejects contributions from federal lobbyists
- Rejects contributions from the fossil fuel industry
- Rejects help from a Super PAC
- Refuses to attend or host big money fundraisers for her campaign
Policy Positions:
- Supports overturning the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision
- Supports requiring dark money groups to disclose their donors
- Supports small-donor public financing programs
- Supports requiring ad spending disclosure on social media platforms
- Supports banning former members of Congress from becoming lobbyists
Background on Reform:
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has long fought against special interests’ corruption and power over Washington. During the 2008 financial crisis and Wall Street bailout, she was chosen to ensure taxpayers were protected and to hold Wall Street accountable. She then helped lead the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which protects consumers from major financial institutions that have spent millions on lobbyists and campaign contributions to Washington politicians.
In the Senate, Elizabeth Warren has continued to be a champion for the American people and our democracy. In 2018, she introduced sweeping anti-corruption legislation, and has pledged to make this package the first thing she would do as president. Sen. Warren’s legislative package includes proposals to end the lobbyist revolving door, and require all federal candidates to release their tax returns. This year, she introduced another platform focused on election security, administration, and voter suppression. Sen. Warren explained the need to address corruption first, “because if we break the back of money influence in Washington, then the rest of the pieces become much more doable.”
Sen. Warren has authored, co-sponsored, and voted for legislation to improve transparency, empower small donors, and restore ethics and accountability in Washington. She is a cosponsor of the For the People Act, comprehensive reform legislation introduced in the current Congress. Since 2014, she has been a co-sponsor of the DISCLOSE Act, legislation that would bring dark money into the light by requiring politically-active nonprofit groups to disclose their donors. She has also cosponsored a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision. In 2019, she authored and introduced the Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act, legislation included in the For The People Act that would require the president and vice president to disclose and divest potential financial conflicts of interest.
“I don’t take corporate PAC money. In fact, I don’t take PAC money of any kind. I don’t take federal lobbyist money, and I don’t go behind closed doors with people of money and influence to try to get their help.” — Sen. Elizabeth Warren