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 Boxer stand?

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

  • Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)

  • Supports S223:
  • Cosponsor of S223:
  • Opposes Ensign: CALL [ Why? ]
  • Calls: 14 reported (our goal is 22 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 Boxer's office: 202-224-3553

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 thank Senator Boxer for her co-sponsorship of S. 223, the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act.

I am also calling to find out if the senator will oppose the Ensign (pronounced “en-sen”) amendment to S. 223. This is a poison pill that is designed to protect senators from legitimate ethics complaints. The amendment would impose an unconstitutional burden on charities, religious organizations and other nonprofits by forcing them to disclose their donors when they file ethics complaints against sitting senators.

Can you tell me if she plans to oppose it?

If “Yes” on opposing Ensign amendment

Please thank Senator Boxer 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 Boxer 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.
If “No” on opposing Ensign amendment

Please let Senator Boxer 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.
Thank you for completing the call to Senator Barbara Boxer.

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14 calls have been made to Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)

CallerTimeComments / NotesSupports S.223Opposes Ensign
Steve Wayne 08.05.08 @ 11:20 AM Line to speak to a human was busy, so I left a message, including my ZIP Code. I know tat Senator Boxer already supports S223 and opposes the Ensign amendment unknown
Bob Mason 08.06.08 @ 12:42 PM The Senator has not issued a public statement on the Amendment. The staff person did not know her position on the amendment. unknown
Diana Madoshi 08.06.08 @ 03:27 PM I was told my message would be passed on to the Senator to oppose the Ensign amemdment. unknown
08.06.08 @ 04:09 PM I called the state offices of Boxer and Feinstein. Senator Boxer's aide indicated that the bill appeared to be dead in committee and that no amendments -- Ensign or other -- were listed as attached to it. She did not know Senator Boxer's position on the amendment. Senator Feinstein's aide also said she didn't know the senator's position on the Ensign amendment, but referred me to the Washington office. I left a message for both senators asking that they resurrect the bill and oppose Ensign. unknown
Caryn R Graves 08.06.08 @ 04:52 PM I told the staffer that I thank the Senator for co-sponsoring S. 223, but that I also oppose the Ensign amendment to it. He said he didn't know what Senator Boxer's position was on the amendment, but he said he would pass along my comment to her. unknown
Ethan Close 08.07.08 @ 12:21 PM The legislative assistant said that the Senator has not yet made a decision on the "Ensign" ammedment. unknown
08.07.08 @ 03:46 PM Thu 8/7/08 12:45 pm (PST) I told the (non-legislative asst was not in the office) staffer that I thank the Senator for co-sponsoring S. 223, but that I also oppose the Ensign amendment to it. He said he didn't know what Senator Boxer's position was on the amendment, but he said he would pass along my comment to her. unknown
Max Kaehn 08.08.08 @ 01:07 PM The option to speak to a human being told me the office was closed. unknown
Gurumantra Khalsa 08.08.08 @ 05:24 PM left message on voicemail. unknown
08.12.08 @ 04:49 PM Spoke with member of her staff, she said Boxer has not yet made a statement on opposition to the Ensign amendment. She did not have any information on when she planned to make a statement, but said she would pass along my comment. unknown
jr 08.13.08 @ 12:02 AM yes
Patrick 08.14.08 @ 12:13 PM Had to leave message. unknown
Natalie 08.25.08 @ 09:20 AM dialed 3 to speak to a staffer, first one answering took the comment unknown
11.06.08 @ 02:25 PM unknown