U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., currently running for the U.S. Senate, filed his “Stop Act” on Wednesday. Jolly’s proposal would ensure members of Congress and other federal officeholders can’t personally ask individuals for donations.
Jolly announced last month that fellow Florida Republican U.S. Rep. John Mica and U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-NC, one of the tea party’s and liberty movement’s favorite legislators, had signed on the bill as co-sponsors. The legislation would still allow elected officials to attend fundraisers and does nothing to stop citizens from donating to candidates they support.
On Wednesday, Jolly announced three more sponsors: another Florida Republican in U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent, U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wisc., and U.S. Rep. Richard Nolan, D-Minn.
Jolly also made his case for why the bill should be passed.
“We can’t have a part-time Congress in a full-time world. Too many in Congress are more focused on raising money than solving the problems people elected them to fix,” Jolly said.
“The cosponsors of this bill understand the anger of the American people, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with them on the Stop Act,” Jolly added. “There is no legitimate reason why other colleagues, Republican and Democrat, don’t join us in this historic effort to change Washington forever.
“The simple truth is members of Congress spend too much time dialing for dollars and not enough time working together to get things done for the American people,” Nolan said. “I applaud Congressman Jolly for his work on this issue and look forward to partnering with this bipartisan coalition to change the way we do politics in America.”
“This is just one small step and we should continue to look at other measures that bring federal campaign financing under control,” Mica said.
When he brought out the bill last month, Jolly noted that 30 states have similar laws in place and, while admitting he would have a challenge to pass his measure, it would help revive democracy.
Jolly has said that he would still attend fundraisers but will not personally reach out to individuals as he continues his bid to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in the Senate. Rubio is currently running for the Republican presidential nomination and has said he will not seek a second term in the Senate. U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera and businessman and Army veteran Todd Wilcox are also seeking the Republican nomination in the Senate race.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
Comments
No, he's trying to stop new
Bingo!! Glad you are aware.
Oh, so let me get this
No, he's pushing for a bill
Why does the news media only