Common Cause report highlights possible effects of Citizens United Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon release its decision on Citizens United v. FEC, a case that could decide the role of corporate campaign contributions in our political system. Common Cause has released a new report
highlighting the potential implications on our elections if the high
court decides to undo decades of campaign finance precedents.

"Americans know the problem is bad today and getting worse every
election cycle," said Nick Nyhart, president and CEO of Public
Campaign. "The current pay-to-play political system is already a battle
between David and Goliath, with big moneyed campaign coffers dwarfing
the pool of small dollar donors. This report shows that the outcome of
this case could put Goliath's big money strength on steroids."

In its decision, the Supreme Court could give corporations an
additional tool to influence elections. The fear of additional
corporate spending in elections will result in candidates for Congress
spending more time dialing for dollars. The most effective way to
counter this is by passing the Fair Elections Now Act, legislation that
would create a voluntary system in which candidates could run for
office on a mix of small donations and public funding, a measure that
has repeatedly passed constitutional muster.

"The everyday citizens of this country need more influence in the
political process and that's what Fair Elections does -- places
elections in the hands of the voters," said Nyhart. "And this report
shows that corporate spending in elections necessitates that more than
ever before."

The new report is available online at:
https://www.commoncause.org/citizensunitedreport (pdf)