Statement by Ellen R. Malcolm on the Supreme Court Decision on Campaign Finance Reform

WASHINGTON – Following is a statement by Ellen R. Malcolm, president of EMILY's List, on the U.S. Supreme Court decision on campaign finance reform.

"The decision by the US Supreme Court to sustain the tenets of BCRA only serves to highlight the importance of our efforts as a leading force for pro-choice Democratic women candidates and women voters across the country."

"As a political action committee, we are still able to raise money for our candidates, WOMEN VOTE!, and other political efforts as we always have. As the largest fundraiser of hard money outside of the political parties, our role in supporting Democratic candidates and mobilizing voters is more important than it has ever been."

"EMILY's List has always talked about the importance of our efforts to bring small contributors into the political system. We now see the fruits of our labors. In the 2002 elections, EMILY's List and its almost 73,000 members raised about $25 million in hard money – $8 million to pro-choice Democratic women candidates, $2 million to state parties, and $15 million to fund EMILY's List political programs, including the nationwide WOMEN VOTE! project to mobilize women voters on behalf of Democrats up and down the ballot."

MEDIA NOTE: In the 2000 elections, EMILY's List and its members raised nearly $25 million in hard money: about $8 million for candidates, $3 million for state parties and $14 million for EMILY's List.