Jon Bruning on Government Reform

Don't renew legislative earmarks, but past ones ok

Political contributions ok from out-of-state coal companies

Bruning has significantly outraised his rivals. He ended the last fundraising quarter with about $1.5 million in his campaign coffers, while Stenberg had about $200,000.

Later in the debate, Fischer took her shot at Bruning, questioning whether Bruning should have accepted $100,000 in campaign contributions from out-of-state coal companies. She questioned whether the donations were appropriate, especially since Bruning had joined a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency on the behalf of coal companies. "Yes or no? Will you stop taking contributions from industries that could benefit from your position as chief law enforcement officer of Nebraska?" asked Fischer.

Bruning declined to directly answer.

No campaign donation limits; but full disclosure

A: No.

Q: Individual donations?

A: No.

Q: Corporate?

A: No.

Q: Political Parties?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns??

A: No.

Q: Do you support partial funding from state taxes for political campaigns??

A: No.

Identify constitutionality in every new congressional bill.

The Contract from America, clause 1. Protect the Constitution:

Require each bill to identify the specific provision of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to do what the bill does.

Audit federal agencies, to reform or eliminate them.

The Contract from America, clause 5. Restore Fiscal Responsibility & Constitutionally Limited Government in Washington:

Create a Blue Ribbon taskforce that engages in a complete audit of federal agencies and programs, assessing their Constitutionality,

Moratorium on all earmarks until budget is balanced.

The Contract from America, clause 9. Stop the Pork:

Place a moratorium on all earmarks until the budget is balanced, and then require a 2/3 majority to pass any earmark.