Barrett Launches Fifth Pillar of Blueprint for a Better America to Reform Campaign Finance
June 4, 2026 Press Release Constitutional Amendment and Bills Would Restore Legislative Branch Authority Over Campaign Finance Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) today launched the fifth pillar of his Blueprint for a Better America : Reforming Campaign Finance. Included is Barrett’s Constitutional Campaign Finance Reform Amendment ( H.J.Res. 191 ). This constitutional amendment would guarantee Congress and state governments the authority to establish stricter campaign finance rules, including limiting or prohibiting corporate spending in elections, to curb the outsized influence of money in politics and help ensure every citizen’s voice carries equal weight at the ballot box. “Americans are tired of watching billions of dollars flood into our elections while their own voices feel increasingly ignored,” said Barrett. “Free speech and competitive campaigns are essential to our democracy, but our elections should not be determined by elite megadonors who have never been to Michigan. The Constitutional Campaign Finance Reform Amendment guarantees Congress and the states the authority to give the power in elections back to the people, restore confidence in our elections, and ensure that candidates spend more time serving their constituents than catering to special interests.” The Constitutional Campaign Finance Reform Amendment is endorsed by American Promise , a cross-partisan organization dedicated to giving the authority of elections back to the people and their representatives. “What’s striking about this moment is the overwhelmingly cross-partisan agreement that something must be done,” said Jeff Clements, co-founder and CEO of American Promise. “Twenty-five state legislatures — representing red, blue and purple states alike — have called on Congress to support this amendment, often with unanimous support. We thank Representative Barrett for heeding the growing call of Americans and our states to move the constitutional amendment process forward." Barrett also signed onto two pieces of legislation to increase accountability in campaign finance and to prohibit foreign nationals from spending money on American political activity or election administration. The two bills Barrett co-sponsored are: The Campaign Finance Transparency Act ( H.R. 8720 ) to increase accountability in federal campaign fundraising by requiring stronger verification for online donations, banning gift card contributions, requiring all donations to be reported regardless of amount, and cracking down on fraudulent donations made in someone else’s name. The Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act ( H.R.8721 ) to crack down on foreign influence in U.S. elections by expanding restrictions on foreign-funded political activities and strengthening enforcement and disclosure requirements. The bill would prohibit non-citizens from donating to support ballot collection, voter registration, get-out-the-vote operations, election administration, and more — building on current law, which prohibits non-citizens from making contributions to help elect candidates. BACKGROUND: Campaign spending has grown dramatically over the past several decades, with more than $16 billion spent on federal elections during the 2024 cycle alone. As fundraising demands continue to increase, candidates are often forced to spend significant time soliciting donations rather than engaging with constituents and focusing on policy solutions. The growing influence of wealthy donors, special interests, and outside groups has contributed to everyday citizens feeling like their voices are no longer being heard. About Barrett’s Blueprint for a Better America : Restoring Trust in Government: Making Government Serve the People, Not Special Interests Reviving the American Dream: Helping Families Afford Homes in Mid-Michigan Making Health Care Affordable Again: Lowering Costs for Working Families Recalibrating American Foreign Policy : Ending Endless Wars and Promoting Peace Through Strength Reforming Campaign Finance: Putting Governing Before Campaigning Making America Healthy Again: Prioritizing Public Health Over Corporate Profits
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June 4, 2026 Press Release Constitutional Amendment and Bills Would Restore Legislative Branch Authority Over Campaign Finance Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) today launched the fifth pillar of his Blueprint for a Better America : Reforming Campaign Finance. Included is Barrett’s Constitutional Campaign Finance Reform Amendment ( H.J.Res. 191 ). This constitutional amendment would guarantee Congress and state governments the authority to establish stricter campaign finance rules, including limiting or prohibiting corporate spending in elections, to curb the outsized influence of money in politics and help ensure every citizen’s voice carries equal weight at the ballot box. “Americans are tired of watching billions of dollars flood into our elections while their own voices feel increasingly ignored,” said Barrett. “Free speech and competitive campaigns are essential to our democracy, but our elections should not be determined by elite megadonors who have never been to Michigan. The Constitutional Campaign Finance Reform Amendment guarantees Congress and the states the authority to give the power in elections back to the people, restore confidence in our elections, and ensure that candidates spend more time serving their constituents than catering to special interests.” The Constitutional Campaign Finance Reform Amendment is endorsed by American Promise , a cross-partisan organization dedicated to giving the authority of elections back to the people and their representatives. “What’s striking about this moment is the overwhelmingly cross-partisan agreement that something must be done,” said Jeff Clements, co-founder and CEO of American Promise. “Twenty-five state legislatures — representing red, blue and purple states alike — have called on Congress to support this amendment, often with unanimous support. We thank Representative Barrett for heeding the growing call of Americans and our states to move the constitutional amendment process forward." Barrett also signed onto two pieces of legislation to increase accountability in campaign finance and to prohibit foreign nationals from spending money on American political activity or election administration. The two bills Barrett co-sponsored are: The Campaign Finance Transparency Act ( H.R. 8720 ) to increase accountability in federal campaign fundraising by requiring stronger verification for online donations, banning gift card contributions, requiring all donations to be reported regardless of amount, and cracking down on fraudulent donations made in someone else’s name. The Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act ( H.R.8721 ) to crack down on foreign influence in U.S. elections by expanding restrictions on foreign-funded political activities and strengthening enforcement and disclosure requirements. The bill would prohibit non-citizens from donating to support ballot collection, voter registration, get-out-the-vote operations, election administration, and more — building on current law, which prohibits non-citizens from making contributions to help elect candidates. BACKGROUND: Campaign spending has grown dramatically over the past several decades, with more than $16 billion spent on federal elections during the 2024 cycle alone. As fundraising demands continue to increase, candidates are often forced to spend significant time soliciting donations rather than engaging with constituents and focusing on policy solutions. The growing influence of wealthy donors, special interests, and outside groups has contributed to everyday citizens feeling like their voices are no longer being heard. About Barrett’s Blueprint for a Better America : Restoring Trust in Government: Making Government Serve the People, Not Special Interests Reviving the American Dream: Helping Families Afford Homes in Mid-Michigan Making Health Care Affordable Again: Lowering Costs for Working Families Recalibrating American Foreign Policy: Ending Endless Wars and Promoting Peace Through Strength Reforming Campaign Finance: Putting Governing Before Campaigning Making America Healthy Again: Prioritizing Public Health Over Corporate Profits
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