Woodall Introduces Campaign Finance Reform Bill

Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA-07) has introduced a bill that would only allow campaign funds to be spent during the election cycle in which they are raised.

The legislation, known as the “Competitive Elections Act,” is designed to eliminate the advantage large campaign war chests provide incumbents.

“The Competitive Elections Act would shut politicians’ proverbial ‘war chests’ that today discourage and intimidate service-minded individuals who otherwise would run for Congress,” Woodall said in a released statement. "You should not have to be a self-funding millionaire to be competitive in a congressional election. If you think you can do a better job than your current Representative and voters agree with you, you should be the next representative.  An incumbent’s massive war chest—campaign funds accumulated through years and years of fundraising—should not stand in the way.”

If passed, the legislation would amend Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.

“To many voters, it seems like an impossible task to remove incumbents who have the benefit of strong support and robust fundraising.  We see this voter frustration in all of the polls supporting term limits,” Woodall said.  “Rather than amend our Constitution with term limits that protect incumbents for three, six or twelve terms, my bill restores power and choices to voters each and every term. America works best when American voters are in full control.”

Woodall added that citizens will benefit from better elected officials if given more choices.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD). Text of the legislation is available here.

Woodall’s Seventh District includes all of Barrow and Walton counties, most of Gwinnett County, and portions of Forsyth and Newton counties.