U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer

U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer, Washington’s 6th District Congressman, has been recognized with a perfect score on Common Cause’s 2022 Democracy Scorecard.

The scorecard is a nonpartisan accounting of actions of all members of Congress on a range of democracy-related legislation. Members of Congress are rated on areas that include campaign finance reform, the protection and expansion of voting rights, and putting an end to partisan gerrymandering.

“There’s too much money, too many special interests, and too little accountability in our government. Americans deserve to have their voices heard and votes counted,” Kilmer said. “That’s why -— since Day One as our region’s representative — I’ve been working to reduce the role of money in politics, combat voter suppression, fix the broken political system, and get Congress back on track and back to getting things done.”

“Our government should work for the American people,” he added. “That’s why it’s important for Congress to root out corruption, strengthen our systems of checks and balances, and protect the right to vote. I’ll keep pushing to get pro-democracy legislation signed into law and to make government work better for folks.”

In Congress, Rep. Kilmer has been recognized as a leader on campaign finance reform and continues to push for legislation that would improve transparency, reduce the role of big money in campaigns, and fix the commission charged with enforcing federal election laws. 

Kilmer co-sponsored and voted to pass H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2022, a sweeping package of reform bills aimed at strengthening the voice of the American people in their democracy by making it easier to vote, reducing the role of big money in the political process, and ensuring public officials work for the public interest.

Common Cause recognized Kilmer’s work in the current Congress for holding a pro-democracy stance on 14 bills that were voted on by the House, including H.R. 5314, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, legislation Kilmer helped introduce that aims to strengthen America’s democratic institutions against future presidents, regardless of political party, who seek to abuse the power of their office. 

Kilmer also sponsored H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, a package of reform bills aimed at strengthening the voice of the American people in their democracy. 

In addition, he was recognized for co-sponsoring four pieces of pro-democracy legislation — including H.R. 5008, the Frank Harrison, Elizabeth Peratrovich and Miguel Trujillo Native American Voting Rights Act — which aims to protect the sacred right to vote and ensure equal access to the electoral process for Native Americans.

“Nearly two years after the Jan. 6 insurrection and at a time when some power-hungry state legislatures have made it significantly harder for certain Americans to vote, we need more leaders like Congressman Kilmer to stand up for the rule of law and for the freedom to vote,” said Aaron Scherb, senior director of legislative affairs at Common Cause. “Our Democracy Scorecard can serve as a resource to help citizens understand which members of Congress are protecting our voices and who is trying to make it harder to vote; we commend Congressman Kilmer for getting a perfect score on the 2022 Democracy Scorecard.”