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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Government "By the People" Makes a Comeback in Congress

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Monday, February 10, 2014   

WASHINGTON – Backed by government reform groups and a growing list of other organizations, 128 members of the House of Representatives have introduced the "Government by the People Act" to encourage citizens to take their government back from free-spending corporations.

Rep. John Sarbanes, a Democrat from Maryland, is the lead sponsor of the bill.

"People are increasingly angry at this sense that they can't be heard in Washington," Sarbanes said, "that they're being left out, that their voices are being rolled over by super PACs and big-money interests here."

The bill creates a tax credit for contributions to congressional campaigns, and a matching public fund to amplify the impact of regular citizens in congressional campaigns.

Sarbanes noted that government reform groups such as Public Citizen have been joined by civil rights, environmental and other groups not normally involved, because those organizations know they can't accomplish their goals if corporations have vastly more influence than they do - thanks to the outsize campaign contributions they make.

"It's the presence of groups like that who can bring to bear significant pressure in districts all across the country that will help us build additional support for this within the chamber," he stressed.

Sarbanes added that polling data shows that not just Democrats, but unaffiliated voters and Republicans, too, are concerned about the influence of big money on politics.



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