Government Reform

Our government is at its best when we are transparent and accountable to the people we represent. In San Diego, we know working together is what gets things done and solves problems. Unfortunately, Washington operates differently and San Diegans are rightfully frustrated with a gridlocked Congress and an inflexible federal bureaucracy. I’ve taken our bipartisan, solutions-oriented approach to getting things done to Washington because the government has to rebuild the trust it has lost with the American people through reforms and innovative problem-solving. From making Congress actually vote on bills that pass Committees to getting dark money out of our campaigns? we can make government more efficient and ethical. We can also increase transparency and reduce government waste by implementing renewable energy programs in federal buildings. Congress owes it to the communities we represent to make government work for the people again. 

Enhancing Election Security

We know foreign countries interfered in the 2016 election. These actions are without precedent and should alarm every American. Ahead of 2020, we must take steps to protect our democracy. Upgrades to our election system will allow voters to securely exercise their right to vote and ensure Americans–not foreign adversaries–determine the outcome of our elections.  

• Cosponsored the Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act, which creates a federal campaign foreign contact reporting compliance system to require campaigns and political committees to report any direct or indirect contact between a campaign/candidate and a foreign government/agent.
• Cosponsored the Securing America’s Federal Elections (SAFE) Act, requires voter-verified paper ballots for all votes, either hand-marked by the voter or by a ballot machine that cannot count votes; requires voting machines to be manufactured in the United States; and prohibits voting machines from requiring a WiFi signal to operate. It also provides $600 million for the Election Assistance Commission to improve election infrastructure during Fiscal Year 2019, followed by $175 million every other year starting in 2020 to maintain the higher standard of election infrastructure.

Boosting Campaign Finance Reform

Our democracy depends on transparency and accountability. We need to take dark money out of political campaigns so Members of Congress can focus on making sound policy decisions that help American families by creating jobs, repairing our infrastructure, and stabilizing the economy. We also must realize that while individuals have every right to voice their political opinions, corporations are not individuals. Amplifying the voice of the people will prevent Super PACs and other dark money interests from drowning out the everyday American.

• Cosponsored the Honest Ads Act, which would require the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to enact rules for online advertisements, similar to what is in place for television, radio, and satellite ads, to make it clear to the public who is running online political advertisements.
• Cosponsored the Preventing Adversaries Intentionally from Disbursing Advertising Dollars (PAID AD) Act, which would make it illegal for foreign entities to purchase political ads about candidates or legislative issues that have an impact on the election.
• Cosponsored the Restoring Integrity to America's Elections Act, which reduces the number of FEC commissioners from six to five to break stalemate decisions; improves how commissioners are selected by revising the qualifications and prohibiting recent politicians from serving as commissioners.

Scott’s Plan to Fix Congress Now

Make Congress Work: Institute 5-Day Congressional work weeks; require floor vote within 60 days on all bills passed in committee; enforce No Budget, No Pay; Reform the Debt Ceiling process to end government shutdowns and protect America’s credit

Improve our Elections: Require “dark money” SuperPACs disclose campaign contributions above $200; increase voter protections nationwide; make Vote-by-Mail available nationwide; Repeal Citizens United to limit the influence of money in politics

Removing Inefficiency and Government Waste: Enact biennial budgeting process; don’t duplicate but consolidate programs to save money; improve federal purchasing to Buy Smarter and Save

Ensure Ethical Standards: Annual Ethics and Sexual Harassment training for Members and staff; Ban lobbyists from the House Floor; No purchasing First-Class air travel on Taxpayer dime

Increase Transparency & Openness: Require Members to disclose personal crop insurance subsidies; Increase public disclosure of Congressional trips; Require Congress to  increase awareness of services available to constituents and require outside vendors disclose when Congress can provide services for free

Make Government Green: Increase energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in federal buildings; Cut down on paper waste by requiring opt-in to receive government publications; Improve energy sustainability programs in the military.

More information on making congress work here

More information on improving our elections here

More information on removing inefficiency and government waste here

More information on ensuring ethical standards here

More information on increasing transparency and openness here

More information on making government green here