Survey of 2018 House campaign websites: on Government Reform


Kim Schrier: Overturn Citizens Union; modernize/secure voting systems

Source: 2018 WA-8 House campaign website DrKimSchrier.com May 15, 2020

Tim Burchett: Supports term limits for Congress

There's no question about it: The longer politicians stay in Washington, the more beholden they become to the special-interests who line their pockets. The Founding Fathers never intended for people to go to Washington and make a career out of it. Tim sponsored term limits legislation in Tennessee and has pledged to support term limits legislation as a member of Congress. You can't clean up Washington with dirty career politicians.
Source: 2018 TN-2 House campaign website BurchettForCongress.com May 14, 2020

Tim Burchett: Open TVA board of directors meetings to taxpayers

Tim believes in the public's right to know, especially when it comes to their hard-earned tax dollars. Government transparency is the best way to hold politicians accountable. That's why he supports increased transparency for all spending that occurs behind the Capitol's doors.

Tim's first bill in Congress, the TVA Transparency Act of 2019, calls on the TVA to open meetings of its board of directors to the taxpayers who fund them.

Source: 2018 TN-2 House campaign website BurchettForCongress.com May 14, 2020

Tim Burchett: Roll back job-killing regulations at EPA & other agencies

As a small business owner who ran his own mulch company and was put out of business by liberal government regulations, Tim knows from first-hand experience that government doesn't create jobs. We need to get rid of the burdensome regulations that discourage people from taking risks and investing in our economy. Tim supports President Trump's efforts to roll back the job-killing regulations at the EPA and other agencies imposed by President Obama's unconstitutional executive orders.
Source: 2018 TN-2 House campaign website BurchettForCongress.com May 14, 2020

William Timmons: Supports term limits; pledges to serve only 6 terms

I have grown frustrated by the federal government's inability to live within their means. Wasteful spending has grown out of control and needs to stop. I am equally concerned about the power of special interests in Washington, DC and support TERM LIMITS 100% giving more power back to the people and less power to the career politicians. Additionally, I pledge to only serve 6 terms and no more. We need more citizen legislators willing to go serve and come home. That's my commitment.
Source: 2018 SC-4 House campaign website VoteTimmons.com May 13, 2020

Kelly Armstrong: Require Congress to approve major regulations

The federal government has bloated to an unsustainable level. Even now Washington bureaucrats continue to pump out regulation that stifles business, infringes on our states' rights, and costs our taxpayers dearly. Kelly introduced the REINS Act which requires federal agencies to submit major regulations to Congress for approval and guarantees that no major regulation becomes effective until Congress approves it.
Source: 2018 ND-0 House campaign website ArmstrongND.com May 12, 2020

Jared Golden: Cosponsored the For the People Act election reform

Source: 2018 ME-2 House campaign website JaredGoldenForCongress.com May 8, 2020

Sean Casten: Incentivize states to adopt automatic voter registration

We need an international framework to create unambiguous lines and an international consensus on how to deal with future cyber attacks--political or otherwise. I would convene relevant experts from the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency to do a full vetting of voting machine technology to 'hack-proof' our election systems from foreign or domestic interference.

Incentivize all states to adopt automatic voter registration to ensure a fully representative democracy. Rather than seeking to restrict or repress the right to vote, we should embrace a national policy of encouraging all who are eligible to exercise their franchise. Restore the provisions of the Voting Rights Act that were gutted by the Shelby v Holder decision. This decision has encouraged some state-level authorities to disenfranchise poor, minority and student voters.

Source: 2018 IL-6 House campaign website CastenForCongress.com May 5, 2020

Sean Casten: Move Election Day to the weekend

Move Election Day to the weekend. Getting out to the polls can be hard regardless of what day of the week it is--especially for parents working multiple jobs or lacking access to adequate transportation. Keeping Election Day on Tuesday makes it even harder for more Americans who work regular hours. We should move federal elections to the weekend, to give the more families the most flexibility to exercise their right to vote.
Source: 2018 IL-6 House campaign website CastenForCongress.com May 5, 2020

Jason Crow: Crack down on dark money in politics

I was proud to introduce the End Dark Money Act, to crack down on dark money in politics and close the loophole that allows mega-donors to hide their political contributions through so-called "social welfare" organizations. I also cosponsored the DISCLOSE Act, which would require organizations spending money in federal elections to disclose their donors, and the SHIELD act which requires candidates to report any offers of assistance from foreign governments to law enforcement.
Source: 2018 CO-6 House campaign website JasonCrowForCongress.com May 4, 2020

Lizzie Pannill Fletcher: Protect voter rights; don't restrict them

We must fight for a better system to determine our representation, eliminate partisan bias, and work for an equitable voting process. This means championing a full restoration of the Voting Rights Act, challenging discriminatory voter identification laws, legalizing same-day registration or implementing universal automatic registration, and expanding early voting and vote-by-mail options. I will be committed to protecting voting rights, not restricting them.
Source: 2018 TX-7 House campaign website LizzieFletcher.com Apr 30, 2020

Max Rose: Automatic voter registration, streamline absentee voting

He is a proud cosponsor of H.R. 1. This bill strengthens voting access by creating automatic voter registration and removes barriers by streamlining absentee voting. H.R. 1 would hold your representatives accountable by guaranteeing donor disclosure and restructuring the Federal Election Commission, making sure your vote goes to the candidate you support, and not to billion-dollar corporations. Max supports this wholeheartedly and thinks we can do even more.
Source: 2018 NY-11 House campaign website MaxRose.house.gov Apr 29, 2020

Dean Phillips: Disclose all election spending, including online ads

Dean's Priority: Campaign Finance Reform: Dean believes we must shine a bright light on the massive amount of so-called "dark money" being poured into our elections. That starts with passing the DISCLOSE Act, which would require public disclosure of all spending in elections. Dean also supports the Honest Ads Act, which would apply the same disclosure standards to online ads that are applied to all other political ads and would help curb foreign influence in online political advertising.
Source: 2018 MN-3 House campaign website PhillipsForCongress.org Apr 28, 2020

Dean Phillips: End "revolving door" between Congress & lobbyists

Dean will work to close the so-called "revolving door" that exists between members of Congress and individuals working in federal government who then cash in on their connections and influence by taking lucrative lobbying jobs. He also supports barring political appointees from lobbying for five years after serving in the Executive Branch.
Source: 2018 MN-3 House campaign website PhillipsForCongress.org Apr 28, 2020

Angie Craig: Reform our campaign finance system

To restore faith in our democracy, I've worked hard to clean up government while remaining transparent, honest and accountable to my constituents. The very first bill I cosponsored, The For the People Act, would enact a series of sweeping changes to reform our campaign finance system and restore confidence in our elections and government--including prohibiting members of Congress from serving on for-profit boards--a provision I introduced.
Source: 2018 MN-2 House campaign website AngieCraig.com Apr 27, 2020

Sharice Davids: Petition Dept. of Justice to investigate voting complaints

Davids introduced The Count the Vote Act to expand and protect voting rights by giving people the right to petition the Department of Justice to investigate voting complaints. "Kansans have experienced repeated instances of voter disenfranchisement--from laws pushed by Kris Kobach intended to make it harder for people to vote, to polling places being moved a mile out of town."
Source: 2018 KS-3 House campaign website davids.house.gov Mar 5, 2019

Andy Martin: Term limits on members of congress & federal judges

I will fight for a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of congress, 2 terms (12 years) for U.S. Senators and 6 terms (12 years) for U.S. Representatives. I will also fight to impose term limits on federal judges through constitutional amendment.
Source: 2018 House campaign website AndyMartin2018.com Nov 1, 2018

David Trone: Citizen's United must be overturned; we need transparency

I have learned firsthand the problems with political donations. That's why I refuse to accept money from PACs or lobbyists. We need to overturn Citizens United and enact reform for more transparency. It's unacceptable that PACs can raise millions of dollars, and we don't know who they are. We need to make it easier for everyone who wants to serve and get rid of special interests. The only special interests politicians should care about are yours.
Source: 2018 MD-6 House campaign website DavidTronecom Oct 29, 2018

Colin Allred: Clean up corruption: refuse corporate PAC money

Allred has made cleaning up corruption in Washington a central tenet of his campaign for U.S. Congress. Allred has refused corporate PAC money to his campaign while his opponent, Congressman Pete Sessions, has taken $485,000 from corporate PACs and hundreds of thousands of dollars from other special interests like big PHARMA.
Source: 2018 TX-32 House campaign website ColinAllred.com Oct 17, 2018

Deb Haaland: Won't take PAC money; will fight to overturn Citizens United

I am the only candidate who hasn't written myself a big check because I think Democrats should lead by example when it comes to taking big money out of politics. I'm running my campaign by building a grassroots team of supporters. Our campaign finance system is broken--it only helps those at the top. I know the struggles of New Mexico families because I've lived them, and you have my word: I will not accept contributions from corporate PACs, and I will fight to overturn Citizens United.
Source: 2018 NM-1st House campaign website DebForCongress.com Oct 9, 2018

Deb Haaland: Fight for government transparency and accountability

I will hold Trump and his billionaire friends accountable--whether it's standing up to his racist bullying, fighting for his billionaire friends to pay their fair share, or calling for impeachment. I will fight against the demagoguery represented by the current administration, and do everything in my power to create greater transparency in our government. I am not afraid to stand up to the NRA, the arms industry, big pharma, or the fossil fuel industry on behalf of everyday people.
Source: 2018 NM-1st House campaign website DebForCongress.com Oct 9, 2018

Dusty Johnson: End out-of-control bureaucracies that rule by regulation

The federal government has gotten too big, too complicated, and too intrusive. The federal government needs to get out of our daily lives and out of the way of business. I'll work to rein in out-of-control bureaucracies that rule by regulation, and return the power to make laws to our states, communities, and people.
Source: 2018 SD-0 House campaign website DustyJohnson.com Oct 9, 2018

Kevin Hern: Put an end to the typical behaviors of career politicians

When it comes to reforming the way Washington works, Congress must lead by example. Kevin Hern is a proven leader in business. His company provides funding and management advice to other companies that employ hundreds of people in jobs ranging from minimum wage to senior management. Kevin will use his experience and knowledge to focus on leading Congress by example, and put an end to the typical behaviors of career politicians.
Source: 2018 OK-1st House campaign website HernForCongress.com Oct 9, 2018

Lori Trahan: Ambitious campaign finance and voting reform plan

Lori understands that Americans are skeptical about our political system. With trust in our institutions at an all-time low, Lori wants to help foster a stronger relationship between citizens and their government. Lori supports an ambitious campaign finance reform plan and will also work to break down the barriers that exist in civic engagement. Lori understands that voting is one of the most important rights we as Americans have and she intends to expand that right, not restrict it.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts 3rd House campaign website LoriTrahan.com Oct 9, 2018

Amy McGrath: Decisions like Citizens United hurt America

"Big money drives lawmakers to cower to special interests, and mutes the conversations needed for public good. Citizens United was one of the worst Supreme Court decisions in modern history."

The Court's decision allows a tidal wave of unlimited and undisclosed donations by corporations under the guise of "free speech." The Court wrongly believed that a company's million-dollar campaign donation would not dictate the policy decisions of elected officials.

Source: 2018 KY-6 House campaign website AmyMcgrathForCongress.com Jul 4, 2018

  • The above quotations are from Survey of 2018 House campaign websites.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Government Reform.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Tom Price on Government Reform.
  • Click here for more quotes by Ryan Zinke on Government Reform.
2020 Presidential contenders on Government Reform:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Mar 17, 2022