Oppose H.R. 1316, the 527 Fairness Act of 2005, and H.R. 513, the 527 Reform Act of 2005
06/28/05

U.S. House
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative,

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is the political voice of the national environmental community. Each year, LCV publishes the National Environmental Scorecard, which details the voting records of Members of Congress on environmental legislation. LCV also works to educate the public about environmental and public health issues and to increase civic participation.

LCV urges you to oppose H.R. 1316, the 527 Fairness Act of 2005, and H.R. 513, the 527 Reform Act of 2005. We oppose both bills because they would limit activities by organizations such as the League of Conservation Voters, which registered, educated, and mobilized voters during the 2004 elections. Under the guise of campaign finance reform, these bills would shift the balance of power even more toward corporations and away from regular citizens who want to have their voices heard on issues such as protecting the environment and public health.

Among other problematic provisions, H.R. 1316, which was introduced by Representatives Pence (R-IN) and Wynn (D-MD), would give an unfair advantage to corporations and wealthy individuals by increasing contribution limits from corporate PACs and removing the restrictions on aggregate giving in an election cycle.

H.R. 513, which was introduced by Representatives Shays (R-CT) and Meehan (D-MA), would also give an unfair advantage to corporations as well as to trade associations by allowing them to continue spending unlimited and undisclosed amounts of money for political purposes. However, it would subject organizations like the League of Conservation Voters to contribution limits and source restrictions by requiring that we do most of our political spending as federal political committees.

We urge you to oppose H.R. 1316 and H.R. 513, which would threaten the ability of the League of Conservation Voters and other organizations to increase civic participation. Instead of moving forward with either piece of legislation, the House of Representatives should take up bills that protect our democracy as well as the environment and public health. Should these bills go to the House floor, LCV’s Political Advisory Committee will consider including votes on these issues in compiling the 2005 Scorecard. If you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact Tiernan Sittenfeld or Barbara Elkus in my office at 202-785-8683.

Sincerely,

Deb Callahan
President, LCV