Call your senators to let them know they can't ignore the bill.

The last chance for this bill to pass will be when the Senate returns after Election Day.

Where does Senator Mikulski stand?

Please call Senator Barbara Mikulski to find out where she stands on S. 223 and let her know that she should support the bill.

  • Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)

  • Supports S223: CALL
  • Cosponsor of S223:
  • Opposes Ensign: CALL [ Why? ]
  • Calls: 18 reported (our goal is 23 calls)

Why Oppose Ensign Amendment?

At this moment, Sen. John Ensign, who insists on adding an unnecessary, poison pill amendment, is blocking the bill.

The amendment proposed by Sen. Ensign would reduce accountability by requiring outside groups filing ethics complaints to reveal their sources of funding. This provision would constitute an unconstitutional burden on charities, religious bodies and non-profits attempting to ensure the operation of an honest and clean government. [ read more ]

Step 3Call Senator Mikulski's office: 202-224-4654

Ask to speak to the legislative aide responsible for handling campaign finance legislation, or you can leave a message with the receptionist.

Suggested Conversation Script

I am calling to ask Senator Mikulski to support S. 223, the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act. This straightforward bill will ensure that senators file their campaign finance disclosure reports electronically, just like House members and Presidential candidates.

Will Senator Mikulski cosponsor or vote in favor of S. 223?

If “Yes” on Supporting or Cosponsoring S. 223

Great.

I also want to urge the Senator to oppose the Ensign (pronounced en-sen) amendment to S. 223, that would intimidate non profits from filing legitimate ethics complaints against Senators. This amendment is opposed by non profits from left to right because it would impose an unconstitutional burden on charities, religious organizations and other nonprofits by forcing them to disclose their donors when they file ethics complaints.

Can you tell me if she plans to oppose it?

If “Yes” on opposing Ensign Amendment

Please thank Senator Mikulski for her support for a more transparent Congress.

The call is now complete. Please record your findings below.
If “I Don't Know” or “Senator Hasn't Decided Yet” on opposing Ensign Amendment

Please let Senator Mikulski know that the Ensign amendment will mean that many organizations will decide against filing an ethics complaint in order to protect the privacy and First Amendment rights of their donors.

The call is now complete. Please record your findings below.

Please let Senator Mikulski know that I hope she reconsiders. Voting in favor of the Ensign amendment will hurt S. 223's chances of passing and becoming law. S. 223 is commonsense, uncontroversial legislation that will pass as long as the Ensign amendment fails.

The call is now complete. Please record your findings below.
I Don't Know or Senator Hasn't Decided Yet on S. 223

I hope the senator will end up supporting this bill. There is no public opposition to this bill. House and presidential candidates already have to file their campaign finance reports electronically. I also want to urge the Senator to oppose the Ensign (pronounced en-sen) amendment to S. 223, that would intimidate non profits from filing legitimate ethics complaints against Senators. This amendment is opposed by non profits from left to right because it would impose an unconstitutional burden on charities, religious organizations and other nonprofits by forcing them to disclose their donors when they file ethics complaints. So please also ask the senator to oppose the Ensign amendment.

The call is now complete. Please record your findings below.
If “No”

I hope the senator will reconsider. Can you tell me why she opposes this common sense legislation?

The call is now complete. Please record your findings below.
Thank you for completing the call to Senator Barbara Mikulski.

Please fill out the form below to submit your findings.

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18 calls have been made to Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)

CallerTimeComments / NotesSupports S.223Opposes Ensign
08.05.08 @ 11:07 AM unknown n/a
Jeremy Carbaugh 08.05.08 @ 02:43 PM Senator is "open to supporting" this bill, but did not give a solid "Yes" to support. unknown n/a
Andrew May 08.06.08 @ 11:29 AM I spoke with legislative aide Chris Fick (Environment, Education, Energy and Campaign Finance Reform and related matters) who advised me that Senator Mikulski has received several calls about S. 223. He did not speak for the senator and said there was a good chance (not definite) that she would be willing to be listed as a co-sponsor of the bill. He reminded me that, as Congress is in recess currently, she cannot be added as a co-sponsor until the Senate is back in session. He said she would oppose (vote against) the Ensign amendment, since it is an obvious poison pill effort to derail the bill, and that she would not vote for the bill if the Ensign amendment survived as part of the bill. Better to try again than allow gutted legislation to pass. Viva la transparencia! I'm concerned there have not been more calls to the Senator's office to urge her active involvement on behalf of this legislation. yes yes
08.06.08 @ 01:08 PM I also got Chris on the line. He gave the "waffle" answer, that she was "open" to it. I pressed and he said she was councerned about the "poison pill" amendment and wouldn't vote for it were that amendment a part of it. I pressed about support without the amendment and got a positive response that was not completely satisfying. They need to hear from thousands of people. unknown n/a
Michael Stepp 08.06.08 @ 06:47 PM I received the same waffling answer. Nothing new to report in addition to what has already been reported. unknown n/a
Joe Adams 08.06.08 @ 11:08 PM I left a brief note (changed the wording) on Senator Mikulski's own webmail site at: http://mikulski.senate.gov/mailform.html It's easy, apparantly the way she wants to receive electronic communication, and it's probably good that she receive messages by a variety of media. Thanks for working on this, everyone. - Joe Adams unknown n/a
William Small 08.07.08 @ 09:51 AM Chris stated If the bill comes through as is without any Poison amendments or alterations, "I believe she will support it" - not completely committal. Please keep up the good work! Your site is exemplary. yes unknown
08.07.08 @ 10:16 AM unknown n/a
Perry Levin 08.07.08 @ 02:35 PM unknown n/a
08.07.08 @ 03:42 PM unknown n/a
C. Baugh 08.07.08 @ 05:18 PM Called after 5pm and got the voicemail box. Left a message and also wrote another message at her Constituent Correspondence page - http://mikulski.senate.gov/mailform.html unknown n/a
Angela Taylor 08.12.08 @ 10:35 AM The aide said they have received a number of calls on S. 223, and he will pass it along. unknown n/a
08.12.08 @ 11:52 AM I was told that Senator Mikulski supports S223 without the Ensign amendment and expressed my satisfaction and agreement with her position. yes yes
Ben 08.17.08 @ 10:01 PM Called after business hours. Left a message. unknown n/a
M E Truman 08.20.08 @ 04:11 PM yes yes
C Baugh 08.22.08 @ 03:46 PM Called and quickly transferred to the Campaign Finance LA, referred to the bill's number and he jumped ahead of me and said the Sen supports it as long as it doesn't contain any damaging amendments (Ensign.) She's on board. Forgot to ask if she'll cosponsor - please call and ask? yes yes
09.16.08 @ 03:12 PM All I could do was say I wanted the Senator to support the bill. The woman knew nothing about the amendment. unknown n/a
Ashley 10.28.08 @ 01:31 PM No one was available with her office specifically, but I left a message - I have requested follow-up. unknown n/a