CHELLIE PINGREE

Election Reform Common Cause urged the House to pass H.R. 811, Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007. Common Cause opposed efforts to amend various legislation to require voters to show photo identification at the polling place. Common Cause supported efforts to rollback implementation of the Real ID Act. Common Cause urged the Senate to pass S.1, the Ethics and Lobbying Reform Bill. Common Cause asked for an amendment to the Reid-McConnell substitute to S.1 that would require Senate candidates to file their campaign finance reports electronically. Common Cause asked Senators to vote for an amendment to S.1, introduced by Senator DeMint (R-SC), that would strengthen earmark reform. Common Cause asked Senators to invoke cloture on the Reid-McConnell substitute to S.1 on January 17, 2007. Common Cause urged Senators to vote against an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Bennett (R-UT) that would remove a disclosure provision from the Reid-McConnell substitute that required lobbying firms to report the amount of money they spend to conduct “Astroturf” lobbying campaigns. Common Cause urged Senators to support an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Feingold (D-WI), that would expand revolving door restrictions on former Members and staff to include all lobbying activities, not just direct lobbying contacts. Common Cause supported an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Lieberman (I-CT), that would require the disclosure of earmark lobbying by lobbyists. Common Cause supported an amendment offered by Senator McCain (R-AZ), that would allow a Point of Order to be raised against unauthorized appropriations, earmarks, and policy riders and prohibited federal agencies from dispensing funds for appropriations earmarks, included only in report language. Common Cause urged the Members of the House of Representatives to pass a strong Ethics Reform Package (H.R. 2316 and H.R. 2317) that will include provisions such as: stronger revolving door restrictions, increased disclosure for Members and senior staff negotiating with private organization for future employment, increased travel disclosure, a prohibition of Members from influencing hiring choices based on political affiliation, and disclosure requirements for lobbyists that "bundle" campaign contributions on behalf of Members. Common Cause urged members of an ethics task force led by Representative Capuano (D-MA) to endorse a proposal that would create an independent ethics commission that would have the power to initiate ethics investigations involving congressional members and staff. Government Accountability/Attorney General Common Cause urged Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign. Common Cause urged the House Judiciary Committee to initiate impeachment proceedings for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. FEC Appointment Common Cause urged the Senate Rules and Administration Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to reject the noomination of nomination of Hans von Spakovsky to the Federal Election Commission. Campaign Finance Reform Common Cause urged Senators to support S.1285, the Fair Elections Now Act, legislation that would implement a voluntary public finance system for funding congressional elections. Ethics Common Cause praised the House of Representatives for passing H Res. 6, a bill that would reform congressional lobbying and ethics rules.

Election Reform Common Cause urged the House to pass H.R. 811, Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007. Common Cause opposed efforts to amend various legislation to require voters to show photo identification at the polling place. Common Cause supported efforts to rollback implementation of the Real ID Act. Common Cause urged the Senate to pass S.1, the Ethics and Lobbying Reform Bill. Common Cause asked for an amendment to the Reid-McConnell substitute to S.1 that would require Senate candidates to file their campaign finance reports electronically. Common Cause asked Senators to vote for an amendment to S.1, introduced by Senator DeMint (R-SC), that would strengthen earmark reform. Common Cause asked Senators to invoke cloture on the Reid-McConnell substitute to S.1 on January 17, 2007. Common Cause urged Senators to vote against an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Bennett (R-UT) that would remove a disclosure provision from the Reid-McConnell substitute that required lobbying firms to report the amount of money they spend to conduct “Astroturf” lobbying campaigns. Common Cause urged Senators to support an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Feingold (D-WI), that would expand revolving door restrictions on former Members and staff to include all lobbying activities, not just direct lobbying contacts. Common Cause supported an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Lieberman (I-CT), that would require the disclosure of earmark lobbying by lobbyists. Common Cause supported an amendment offered by Senator McCain (R-AZ), that would allow a Point of Order to be raised against unauthorized appropriations, earmarks, and policy riders and prohibited federal agencies from dispensing funds for appropriations earmarks, included only in report language. Common Cause urged the Members of the House of Representatives to pass a strong Ethics Reform Package (H.R. 2316 and H.R. 2317) that will include provisions such as: stronger revolving door restrictions, increased disclosure for Members and senior staff negotiating with private organization for future employment, increased travel disclosure, a prohibition of Members from influencing hiring choices based on political affiliation, and disclosure requirements for lobbyists that "bundle" campaign contributions on behalf of Members. Common Cause urged members of an ethics task force led by Representative Capuano (D-MA) to endorse a proposal that would create an independent ethics commission that would have the power to initiate ethics investigations involving congressional members and staff. Government Accountability/Attorney General Common Cause urged Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign. Common Cause urged the House Judiciary Committee to initiate impeachment proceedings for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. FEC Appointment Common Cause urged the Senate Rules and Administration Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to reject the noomination of nomination of Hans von Spakovsky to the Federal Election Commission. Campaign Finance Reform Common Cause urged Senators to support S.1285, the Fair Elections Now Act, legislation that would implement a voluntary public finance system for funding congressional elections. Ethics Common Cause praised the House of Representatives for passing H Res. 6, a bill that would reform congressional lobbying and ethics rules.

Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to support the DC Voting Rights Act (H.R. 1905) and urged the Senate to pass the DC House Voting Rights Act (S.1257). The bills would give an elected representative for the District full voting power in the House of Representatives. Voting representation in the U.S. House of Representatives for citizens of the District of Columbia.

Election Reform Common Cause urged the House to pass H.R. 811, Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007. Common Cause opposed efforts to amend various legislation to require voters to show photo identification at the polling place. Common Cause supported efforts to rollback implementation of the Real ID Act. Common Cause urged the Senate to pass S.1, the Ethics and Lobbying Reform Bill. Common Cause asked for an amendment to the Reid-McConnell substitute to S.1 that would require Senate candidates to file their campaign finance reports electronically. Common Cause asked Senators to vote for an amendment to S.1, introduced by Senator DeMint (R-SC), that would strengthen earmark reform. Common Cause asked Senators to invoke cloture on the Reid-McConnell substitute to S.1 on January 17, 2007. Common Cause urged Senators to vote against an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Bennett (R-UT) that would remove a disclosure provision from the Reid-McConnell substitute that required lobbying firms to report the amount of money they spend to conduct “Astroturf” lobbying campaigns. Common Cause urged Senators to support an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Feingold (D-WI), that would expand revolving door restrictions on former Members and staff to include all lobbying activities, not just direct lobbying contacts. Common Cause supported an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Lieberman (I-CT), that would require the disclosure of earmark lobbying by lobbyists. Common Cause supported an amendment offered by Senator McCain (R-AZ), that would allow a Point of Order to be raised against unauthorized appropriations, earmarks, and policy riders and prohibited federal agencies from dispensing funds for appropriations earmarks, included only in report language. Common Cause urged the Members of the House of Representatives to pass a strong Ethics Reform Package (H.R. 2316 and H.R. 2317) that will include provisions such as: stronger revolving door restrictions, increased disclosure for Members and senior staff negotiating with private organization for future employment, increased travel disclosure, a prohibition of Members from influencing hiring choices based on political affiliation, and disclosure requirements for lobbyists that "bundle" campaign contributions on behalf of Members. Common Cause urged members of an ethics task force led by Representative Capuano (D-MA) to endorse a proposal that would create an independent ethics commission that would have the power to initiate ethics investigations involving congressional members and staff. Government Accountability/Attorney General Common Cause urged Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign. Common Cause urged the House Judiciary Committee to initiate impeachment proceedings for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. FEC Appointment Common Cause urged the Senate Rules and Administration Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to reject the noomination of nomination of Hans von Spakovsky to the Federal Election Commission. Campaign Finance Reform Common Cause urged Senators to support S.1285, the Fair Elections Now Act, legislation that would implement a voluntary public finance system for funding congressional elections. Ethics Common Cause praised the House of Representatives for passing H Res. 6, a bill that would reform congressional lobbying and ethics rules.

Election Reform Common Cause urged the House to pass H.R. 811, Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007. Common Cause opposed efforts to amend various legislation to require voters to show photo identification at the polling place. Common Cause supported efforts to rollback implementation of the Real ID Act. Common Cause urged the Senate to pass S.1, the Ethics and Lobbying Reform Bill. Common Cause asked for an amendment to the Reid-McConnell substitute to S.1 that would require Senate candidates to file their campaign finance reports electronically. Common Cause asked Senators to vote for an amendment to S.1, introduced by Senator DeMint (R-SC), that would strengthen earmark reform. Common Cause asked Senators to invoke cloture on the Reid-McConnell substitute to S.1 on January 17, 2007. Common Cause urged Senators to vote against an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Bennett (R-UT) that would remove a disclosure provision from the Reid-McConnell substitute that required lobbying firms to report the amount of money they spend to conduct “Astroturf” lobbying campaigns. Common Cause urged Senators to support an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Feingold (D-WI), that would expand revolving door restrictions on former Members and staff to include all lobbying activities, not just direct lobbying contacts. Common Cause supported an amendment to S.1, offered by Senator Lieberman (I-CT), that would require the disclosure of earmark lobbying by lobbyists. Common Cause supported an amendment offered by Senator McCain (R-AZ), that would allow a Point of Order to be raised against unauthorized appropriations, earmarks, and policy riders and prohibited federal agencies from dispensing funds for appropriations earmarks, included only in report language. Common Cause urged the Members of the House of Representatives to pass a strong Ethics Reform Package (H.R. 2316 and H.R. 2317) that will include provisions such as: stronger revolving door restrictions, increased disclosure for Members and senior staff negotiating with private organization for future employment, increased travel disclosure, a prohibition of Members from influencing hiring choices based on political affiliation, and disclosure requirements for lobbyists that "bundle" campaign contributions on behalf of Members. Common Cause urged members of an ethics task force led by Representative Capuano (D-MA) to endorse a proposal that would create an independent ethics commission that would have the power to initiate ethics investigations involving congressional members and staff. Government Accountability/Attorney General Common Cause urged Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign. Common Cause urged the House Judiciary Committee to initiate impeachment proceedings for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. FEC Appointment Common Cause urged the Senate Rules and Administration Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to reject the noomination of nomination of Hans von Spakovsky to the Federal Election Commission. Campaign Finance Reform Common Cause urged Senators to support S.1285, the Fair Elections Now Act, legislation that would implement a voluntary public finance system for funding congressional elections. Ethics Common Cause praised the House of Representatives for passing H Res. 6, a bill that would reform congressional lobbying and ethics rules.

voter verified paper trail and would require mandatory audits. Common Cause supported S. 1975, the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act, which would prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to vote against H.R. 4844, the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006, which would have required all voters to have a photo ID and proof of citizenship. Ethics Common Cause urged Congress to add an Office of Public Integrity to the provision in H.R. 4682, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. The Office of Public Integrity would allow ethics rules to be enforced in a non-partisan manner. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to oppose H.R.4975, the Lobby Accountabilty and Transparency Act of 2006 because the bill was too weak and did not effectively address ethical issues in Congress. Common Cause urged the Senate to support S. 2259, the Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission Act. Sponsored by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), the bill would establish a Congressional Enforcement Commission. Campaign Finance Reform Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to oppose H.R. 1606, the Online Freedom of Speech Act sponsored by Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), which would provide a blanket exemption for Internet communications from federal campaign finance laws. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representaties to support H.R. 4194, the Internet Anti-Corruption and Free Speech Protection Act introduced by Reps. Chris Shays (R-CT) and Marty Meehan (D-MA). The bill would close the Internet loophole in campaign finance laws, but would not restrict Internet activists' constitutional right to free speech. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to support H.R. 4900, the Internet Free Speech Protection Act of 2006, introduced by Representative Tom Allen (D-ME) and Charles Bass (R-NH). The legislation would provide broad protections to the Internet community without opening gaping soft-money loopholes in the campaign finance laws. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to support H.R. 3099, the Clean Money, Clean Elections Act. The bill would provide full public financing forthe campaigns of House candidates if they choose to forgo raising private contributions. Common Cause lobbied in support of legislation to reform the presidential public finance system. Election Reform Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to copsonsor the support H.R. 550, the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2005 sponsored Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ). The bill would require all voting machines to have

voter verified paper trail and would require mandatory audits. Common Cause supported S. 1975, the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act, which would prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to vote against H.R. 4844, the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006, which would have required all voters to have a photo ID and proof of citizenship. Ethics Common Cause urged Congress to add an Office of Public Integrity to the provision in H.R. 4682, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. The Office of Public Integrity would allow ethics rules to be enforced in a non-partisan manner. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to oppose H.R.4975, the Lobby Accountabilty and Transparency Act of 2006 because the bill was too weak and did not effectively address ethical issues in Congress. Common Cause urged the Senate to support S. 2259, the Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission Act. Sponsored by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), the bill would establish a Congressional Enforcement Commission. Campaign Finance Reform Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to oppose H.R. 1606, the Online Freedom of Speech Act sponsored by Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), which would provide a blanket exemption for Internet communications from federal campaign finance laws. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representaties to support H.R. 4194, the Internet Anti-Corruption and Free Speech Protection Act introduced by Reps. Chris Shays (R-CT) and Marty Meehan (D-MA). The bill would close the Internet loophole in campaign finance laws, but would not restrict Internet activists' constitutional right to free speech. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to support H.R. 4900, the Internet Free Speech Protection Act of 2006, introduced by Representative Tom Allen (D-ME) and Charles Bass (R-NH). The legislation would provide broad protections to the Internet community without opening gaping soft-money loopholes in the campaign finance laws. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to support H.R. 3099, the Clean Money, Clean Elections Act. The bill would provide full public financing forthe campaigns of House candidates if they choose to forgo raising private contributions. Common Cause lobbied in support of legislation to reform the presidential public finance system. Election Reform Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to copsonsor the support H.R. 550, the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2005 sponsored Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ). The bill would require all voting machines to have

Common Cause urged Members to oppose S. 2686, the Consumers' Choice and Broadband Deployment Act. The bill prevents the FCC from writing or enforcing rules to protect Internet freedom.

and oppose all weakening amendements Common Cause urged Senators to support S. 2703, the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act and oppose all weakening amendments. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to vote for H.R. 9, the reauthorizations of the Voting Rights

Common Cause urged the FCC to maintain or tighten the existing broadcast ownership limits in its Quadrennial Review of the Broadcast Ownership Rules and other rules adopted pursuant to Section 202 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (docket #06-121) Common Cause urged Senators to support S. 2917, the Internet Freedom Preservation Act. The bill prohibits telephone and cable companies from blocking or discriminating against lawful Internet content. Common Cause opposed H.R. 5252, the Communications Opportunity promotion and Enhancement Act. The bill prevents the FCC from writing rules to protect Internet freedom. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to support H.R. 5273, the Network Neutrality Act. The bill prohibits telephone and cable companies from blocking or discriminating against any lawful Internet content. Common Cause urged the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to adopt a series of recommendations to ensure better governance including broadcasting meetings for the public, increasing disclosure, allowing members of hte public to speak at meetings, and requiring more oversight of board activity. Common Cause urged the House Appropriations Committee Chair to reverse the proposed $115 million in cuts to the budget of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting approved by the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to support H.R. 5388 the DC Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act, which would give an elected representative for the District of Columbia full voting rights in the House of Representatives.

and oppose all weakening amendements Common Cause urged Senators to support S. 2703, the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act and oppose all weakening amendments. Common Cause urged Members of the House of Representatives to vote for H.R. 9, the reauthorizations of the Voting Rights