PFAW Backs Ban on Foreign Electioneering in Wake of Citizens United

In response to the introduction of legislation
by Senator Al Franken that would protect federal, state, and local
elections from foreign influence, People For the American Way Executive Vice
President Marge Baker issued the
following statement:

"President Obama was exactly right when he raised the threat of
undue foreign influence in US elections following the Supreme Court's
irresponsible decision in Citizens United v.
FEC. The ruling gives corporations the right to spend unlimited sums
of money to directly challenge or support candidates at every level of office.
In doing so, the Court effectively opened up US elections to meddling by
foreign governments and multinationals.

"Critics of the President point to existing laws banning
contributions and electioneering by foreign nationals and corporations. But
there are no restrictions on US subsidiaries of foreign corporations or on
foreign-controlled US
corporations. In other words, US politicians are now fair game for the
world's wealthiest companies, including those run as business arms of
foreign states. That is wrong, and we don't believe the American people
will stand for it.

"The legislation introduced today by Senator Franken would do
much to close the foreign
electioneering loophole. Most importantly, it would prohibit electioneering by
corporations which are controlled or highly influenced by foreign nationals. It
would also mandate heightened disclosure of the level of foreign influence of
corporations engaging in electioneering.

"The Franken bill is a crucial first step in cleaning up the mess
made by the Supreme Court. We urge Senators to quickly adopt it."