Fundraising demands continue to drive lawmakers out of Washington

In response to Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) citing fundraising demands as a primary reason he’s leaving the Senate, Issue One CEO Nick Penniman released the following statement:

“This is further proof that our political system is broken and must be fixed. Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate continue to be repelled from public service by the 20-plus hours a week they spend raising millions of dollars to remain competitive every election cycle. Losing lawmakers because they are forced to fundraise instead of legislate is unacceptable for a democracy as great as ours.”

Issue One’s “Why We Left Congress” report chronicled the top reasons why a staggering number of lawmakers — including two Speakers of the House — voluntarily decided to walk away from positions of power on Capitol Hill.