DeLay may be off the hook—but pay-to-play system is not

Washington, D.C.—The Campaign for Fair Elections released the following statement today in response to the Department of Justice’s decision to drop its investigation into former Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-Texas).

Statement from David Donnelly, campaign manager for the Campaign for Fair Elections:

“The decision by the Department of Justice to drop its criminal investigation into former Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s relationship with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff is further evidence that the scandal is not what is illegal, but rather what is legally permitted each and every day in Washington.

 

“Tom DeLay might be able to sleep more easily knowing that this investigation is over, but everyday Americans know our government doesn’t work for us when elected officials receive millions from special interests. That’s the system Tom DeLay sought to perfect for his own power and his own party’s power. And that’s the system we must work to dismantle.”

From 2004 to 2006 Donnelly ran the Daily DeLay weblog, which was the hub of news coverage, activism, and research on DeLay’s scandals. An archive of blog posts on DeLay’s many controversies is available here: http://www.campaignmoney.org/blog-tags/tom-delay.

The Fair Elections Now Act (H.R. 1826, S. 752) would end Congress’ reliance on special interest cash and put our elections back in the hands of voters. Supported by a broad, bipartisan and cross-caucus group of 185 members of Congress, the Fair Elections Now Act would allow candidates to run for office by collecting small contributions. It would restore government to one that is of, by, and for the people—not bought and paid for by corporate interests and lobbyists.

Learn more at www.fairelectionsnow.org.