WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) reintroduced the bipartisan Honest Elections and Campaign, No Gain Act (HEC No), bipartisan legislation requiring former lawmakers and others no longer seeking office to close their campaign accounts within two years, instead of living on as zombie campaigns.

“Campaign accounts should never be allowed to become personal slush funds for ex-lawmakers and former candidates to personally benefit from and enrich themselves, as has become all too common,” said Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14). “Our bipartisan HEC No Act will finally put an end to the misuse of leftover campaign cash. This is a straightforward reform to build trust and ensure campaign contributions are used as intended — to support public service and serve the public interest, not private gain. It’s time Congress passed the HEC No Act to put Zombie Campaigns in the grave once and for all.”

“Elected officials have a duty to uphold the public trust,” said Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12). “Unfortunately, we’ve seen troubling cases where former members keep their campaign accounts open indefinitely and use the funds for personal benefit. While these actions may not technically violate the law, they clearly defy its spirit — and that’s unacceptable. It’s time to close this loophole and restore public confidence.”

“As elected representatives of the people, members of Congress must preserve public trust, even after they leave office,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08). “The Honest Elections and Campaign Act stops zombie campaigns, requiring former lawmakers and others no longer seeking office to close their campaign accounts within two years. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with Representatives Castor and Bilirakis.”

"It's wrong for former members of Congress to finance extravagant lifestyles with leftover campaign funds. It only serves to further erode the public’s faith in their elected officials. We applaud Rep. Castor for her bipartisan legislation to tackle this issue and commitment to fighting corruption and restoring trust in our system," said Tiffany Muller, President, End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund.

"Both parties should agree: campaign accounts weren’t meant to be retirement plans. It’s time to close the loophole that lets former candidates hang on to leftover campaign cash indefinitely, often using it to boost lobbying careers. Congress can take a commonsense step toward restoring public trust by passing this long-overdue reform," said Jamie Neikrie, Legislative Director, Issue One.

"Campaign donors give money for the express purpose of helping promote the candidacy of a specific candidate. They are not handing over their generous donations to be used for other purposes by the candidate, such as funding a post-election lobby career or doling the funds out to other candidates in future elections. When a candidate decides not to run for federal office again, the campaign accounts should be properly closed. Public Citizen heartily endorses Rep. Castor's 'HEC No Act,'" said Craig Holman, Ph.D., Public Citizen.

Supporters of HEC No include Campaign Legal Center, End Citizens United, Issue One, Let America Vote Action Fund and Public Citizen.

For the past four sessions of Congress, U.S. Rep. Castor has introduced similar legislation after explosive reports by the Tampa Bay Times and WTSP Channel 10 detailing how several former members of Congress continued their campaign accounts years after their campaigns ended, using the funds to pay personal expenses and employ family members. New reporting, published last week, details the “lavish spending” of campaign dollars by a former lawmaker on music festivals, winery visits, ski trips, hotel stays, airfare, and more.