To restore the ability of Congress and the states to regulate corporate influence in elections, Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) ,
along with Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Begich (D-AK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
have introduced a constitutional amendment that would reverse the effects of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC. The ruling, which
granted corporations the same Free Speech rights as people to spend money in support of or against candidates for office, has led to an unprecedented
flood of corporate money in elections across the United States, often under the cover of anonymity.
Marge Baker, Executive Vice President at People For the American Way, issued the following statement:
“In Citizens United, the Supreme Court put our democracy up for sale, and as a result, a constitutional amendment is the only way to completely
stop the flood of special interest spending in our election system. I commend Senators Udall, Bennet, Harkin and the other supporters for taking this
step toward bringing integrity and transparency back to the electoral process. The American people – not deep pocketed corporations – should be the
loudest voice when we choose our leaders.”
Groups supporting a constitutional amendment to reverse the damage caused by Citizens United have collected over 750,000 signatures. You
can sign People For the American Way’s petition asking congressional leaders to ensure that the government has the authority to limit corporate
influence in elections here.
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