PFAW Praises Yarmuth-Jones Amendment to Protect Democratic Principles

Today, Congressmen John Yarmuth (D-KY) and Walter Jones (R-NC) introduced a constitutional amendment to restore fairness to our electoral system. The resolution addresses harm caused by the Supreme Court's flawed decision in Citizens United by declaring that spending on elections does not qualify as protected speech under the First Amendment, giving Congress the authority to create a public financing system as the sole source of funding for federal elections and designating a national holiday for the purpose of voting.

Marge Baker, Executive Vice President of People For the American Way, issued the following statement:

"Undue corporate influence in our elections puts special interests above the voices of individual Americans - and Americans have had enough. Fortunately, members of Congress from both parties are standing up for our rights. We applaud Representatives Yarmuth and Jones for introducing a constitutional amendment to help level the playing field and restore the balance of power to the American people. By improving our access to the polls on Election Day and reigning in the flood of corporate money in our elections, this amendment is a positive step toward a more transparent and democratic electoral system."

Groups supporting a constitutional amendment to reverse the damage caused by Citizens United have collected over 750,000 signatures. Supporters 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.