Tsongas Introduces Legislation To Prohibit Private Groups From Using Tax Dollars For Politics

Westford’s member of Congress has just re-introduced a piece of legislation aiming to curb the influence of money in politics.

Congresswoman Niki Tsongas’ “No Taxpayer Money for Corporate Campaigns Act” would prohibit federal funds given to private companies to be used in initiatives for defeating political candidates, partisan voter registration drives, get-out-the-vote activities, and prohibiting lobbying or supporting trade associations that campaign or lobby voters.

The Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling paved the way for an unprecedented influx of corporate funds to be used for political purposes,” said Tsongas. “The decision came at a time when unparalleled taxpayer funds were committed to shoring up our nation’s financial institutions, in addition to the billions of federal dollars that are awarded to defense contractors, non-profit groups, and other entities each year. 

Tsongas originally introduced the legislation in 2011, where it died in committee.

As of Thursday afternoon, the text of the legislation, known in Congress as H.R. 3480, was not yet available for public inspection on the Library of Congress website.