Congressman Crow Fights to Take Dark Money Out of Politics as House GOP Protects Mega Donors in Spending Bill

WASHINGTON — Today, House Republicans rejected three amendments offered by Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), Co-Chair of the End Corruption Caucus, to remove anti-democratic, dark money riders from this year’sFinancial Services and General Government spending bill. House Republicans chose special interests and mega-donors over the American people. 

“Our democracy is not for sale – we need more transparency, not less. House Republicans are once again cozying up to special interests and mega-donors by quietly pushing through protections for dark money groups,” said Congressman Crow. “Sunshine is the best disinfectant. My amendments would help put an end to corrupt influence, increase transparency, and restore public trust in government.”

This effort is supported by End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund and Public Citizen. 

“Shamefully, Congressional Republicans have yet again sided with dark money, corporate influence and their billionaire backers over transparency, democracy and the American people,” said Tiffany Muller, President of End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund. “We appreciate Representative Crow’s continued efforts to end dark money and show the American people who’s truly fighting for them.”

“While Americans overwhelmingly support shining sunlight on corporate political spending, year-after-year some Congressmembers keep rewriting the rules to block that common-sense disclosure,” said Jon Golinger, Democracy Advocate at Public Citizen. “We strongly support Representative Crow's legislation to strike the secret money policy riders and bring corporate political spending out of the shadows and into the light.”

From day one, Congressman Crow has fought to crack down on the influence of dark money in Washington and champion reforms to protect our free and fair elections. These efforts include working alongside End Corruption Caucus members to introduce efforts that would close the loophole allowing newly formed super PACs to flood elections with undisclosed funds right before Election Day, pressing the IRS to reverse Trump Administration rules for politically active tax-exempt groups to report funding, and supporting legislation to strengthen voter protections for Coloradans and millions across the US.