Congressman Payne Receives ‘A’ Rating From End Citizens United/Let America Vote Action Fund

Leading Advocacy Organization Working to End Big Money in Politics Lauds Payne’s Record on Legislation Supporting Transparency, Democracy

NEWARK, NJ – Recognizing his support for efforts to get big money out of politics, leading advocacy organization End Citizens United / Let America Vote Action Fund has awarded Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., (D-Newark) with an “A” rating on its annual congressional scorecard. With an overriding goal of building support to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision that unleashed an avalanche of special interest money in our elections, the organization works to elevate campaign finance and reform in the national conversation.

“For too long, dark money has flooded and overwhelmed our political system. Billionaire and corporate backed groups have pushed policies that favor their wealthy donors at the expense of hard-working Americans. That’s why we are so grateful for Congressman Payne, who’s stood up to the rich and powerful dark money groups that have too much influence in Washington, and why we gave him an A on our 2022 scorecard,” said End Citizens United / Let America Vote President Tiffany Muller.

Congressman Payne has been a champion on many of the issues that End Citizens United tracked on its scorecard, including supporting the For the People Act of 2021 (H.R.1), John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R.4), Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R.51), DISCLOSE Act of 2021 (H.R.1334), Protecting Our Democracy Act (H.R.5314), Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act (H.R.5746), Democracy for All constitutional amendment (H.J.Res.1) and the Resolution to Impeach Donald J. Trump for High Crimes and Misdemeanors (H.J.Res.24).

“Big corporations and special interests are spending untold sums of money to hijack our political system, and we all need to do more to stop the spread of uncountable dark money and give more power back to the people,” said Congressman Payne. “I’m proud of my record on these critical issues and I am thankful to End Citizens United for recognizing my work to get big money out of politics.”

Congressman Payne has recently been endorsed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, New Jersey Education Association, the Communications Workers of America NJ, Laborers’ International North America Eastern Region, the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and AFSCME NJ. He also recently announced the support of U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker as well as Governor Phil Murphy, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.

“I’m grateful to Assemblywoman Timberlake for her support, because she’s one of our state’s most dynamic young elected officials and part of a new generation of leadership for Essex County and our state,” said Congressman Payne. “We need more young women with real records of accomplishment like Assemblywoman Timberlake in office who know what it means to juggle work, family and public service, because that is the kind of struggle that so many of our constituents face every day.”

About Congressman Payne: 

A lifelong Newark resident, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., is a champion for working families, Democratic values, and fighting to provide more opportunities for people in black and brown communities. He’s a devoted husband and father and a former union member with a blue collar background who has an immense respect for the dignity of work and the value of organized labor. A five-term Congressman, he was first elected in 2012 to succeed his late father, the legendary Rep. Donald Payne, Sr., who was the first Black Congressman in state history. Congressman Payne is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over major infrastructure initiatives including the Gateway Project that are critical to New Jersey’s economy. Congressman Payne co-wrote the House version of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure act and has supported critical progressive legislation like the Build Back Better plan, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Equality Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and much more.

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