Whereas 3 quarters of Americans think United States Government corruption poses a critical threat to the vital interests of the United States;

Whereas public trust in government is near historic lows;

Whereas only 17 percent of United States adults say they trust the Federal Government to do the right thing just about always or most of the time;

Whereas a vast majority of Americans, regardless of their partisan identification, view unlimited political spending as weakening democracy and believe wealthy donors have too much power in elections;

Whereas a vast majority of Americans support anticorruption rules that strengthen democracy and constitutional rights by ensuring everyone has equal political representation, regardless of money;

Whereas corruption, self-dealing and dark money in our political system undermine public confidence in the democratic process and democratic institutions;

Whereas the revolving door between the private and public sector can create conflicts of interest that prioritize special interests over the public good and reduce the public’s confidence that their representatives are working for them;

Whereas using public office to attack political enemies and for personal enrichment are hallmarks of autocratic and kleptocratic regimes;

Whereas using public office for personal enrichment through insider trading, foreign licensing deals, gifts from foreign nations, and the sale of various cryptocurrencies corrupts the basic oath taken by elected officials to serve the American people and further erodes the public’s faith in government;

Whereas promising industries favorable policies, tax incentives, and an end to regulatory oversight in exchange for extensive campaign donations further drowns out the voices of the people and increases the risk of systemic corruption; and

Whereas providing pardons to individuals who have provided millions of dollars in donations to associated political action committees (PACs), special projects, and inauguration funds creates a system where political donations can cancel out justice and further erodes the public’s trust in our systems of government: Now, therefore, be it