Money & Politics

Current Campaigns

Ethics Reform

In the first two days of the new Congress, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed strong new rules to address the scandals that tarnished the last Congress. The new rules include bans on gifts from lobbyists and the use of corporate jets, tighter rules on travel and some measure of accountability on earmarks. The Senate bill on this issue passed on Jan. 18. Read more.

Overview

Money plays far too great a role in American elections, from the municipal level all the way up to the U.S. Presidency. Large contributions from a few groups and individuals unduly influence who wins elections and reduce the role of ordinary voters in our democracy.

MASSPIRG is working to achieve campaign finance reform by enforcing tough campaign contribution limits, creating systems of public financing, and enacting lasting lobby reform.

Reports

Greasing the Wheels: The Crossroads of Campaign Money & Transportation Policy 11/12/2009

Honest Enforcement: What Congress Can Learn From Independent State Ethics Commissions 2/06/2007

More Reports

When Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham pleaded guilty to accepting more than $2.4 million in bribes, the American public was outraged. Nonetheless, Congress has yet to pass any serious ethics reform laws. U.S. PIRG is calling on politicians to revitalize our political process by limiting the influence of powerful private lobbyists and keeping powerful interests from unduly influencing elections.

News

Citizens United Opinion Unleashes Flood of Corporate Money in Campaigns 1/21/2010

Campaign Contributions Pave the Way for Highway Construction 11/12/2009

House Adopts Independent Ethics Oversight 3/12/2008

Newsroom

In The News

U.S. Congress finally passes comprehensive lobby reform 8/14/2007

Domenitz: Reining in political corruption: Congress should stop fooling around 4/04/2007