Hoyer urges "no" vote on bill ending public funding of presidential campaigns

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer this morning urged Democrats to vote against a bill that would end taxpayer funding for presidential campaigns and party conventions. The bill, H.R. 359, will be up for a vote later today.

"H.R. 359 would not strengthen our federal election campaign process, nor would it help to correct some of its current flaws," Hoyer said in a morning whip notice. "It would simply eliminate the program, which aims to give smaller donors an equally important role in the election process."

As many as five hours of debate are allowed today on the bill, but it should not take that long, as only six amendments will be considered. A brief summary of the six that were printed in the Congressional Record and thus are eligible for consideration:

1) Ensure that all money saved (estimates are $617 million over ten years) goes to reducing the deficit, from Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.).

2) After funding is terminated, use any unused money to pay for security at Presidential nominating conventions, from Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.).

3) Alter the bill so that funding for presidential campaigns is maintained, also from Rep. Castor.

4) Prohibit entities that receive federal funds from advocating the election or defeat of a presidential candidate, from Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.).

5) Alter the bill so taxpayers can still voluntarily finance presidential campaigns through additional donations made when taxes are filed, from Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.).

6) A similar amendment from Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) that would allow voluntary taxpayer contributions.