April, 29 2010, 12:01pm EDT
DISCLOSE Act Is Key First Step in Fixing "Citizens United"
Bill Would Prevent Corporate Cash from Overwhelming Democracy
WASHINGTON
Today, Democratic Senators
appeared in
front of the Supreme Court to unveil crucial legislation to mitigate the
impact
of the Supreme Court's destructive ruling in Citizens
United v. FEC. In response, People For the American Way
President
Michael B. Keegan issued the following statement:
"In January, the Roberts Court
opened up American
elections to unlimited spending by giant companies like Exxon Mobil and
Goldman
Sachs. In a stunning example of conservative judicial activism, the
five-Justice majority swept aside decades of precedent and legislation
passed
by Congress and state legislatures across the nation.
"The legislation unveiled today is one of
several crucial and
necessary steps in repairing the damage done by Citizens United. In poll after
poll, Americans have voiced
their overwhelming opposition to the decision. This is not a left-right
issue
- strong majorities of Democrats and Republicans reject the ruling and
support legislative efforts to limit corporate influence in elections.
"Only a constitutional amendment
or
new ruling can truly 'fix' Citizens
United,
but the DISCLOSE Act goes far in mitigating its corrosive effect on our
democracy. Americans want government by the people, not corporations.
But as
long as corporations have the ability to pour money into elections,
Americans
have the right to know how that money is being spent.
"The Supreme Court enabled
companies
to spend money on elections while hiding behind front groups, PR firms,
and
advocacy groups - without any disclosure whatsoever. It also opened
American elections to spending by foreign corporations, government
contractors,
and companies that receive billions in government bailouts. The DISCLOSE
Act
would close these outrageous loopholes.
"Unlike the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce,
Americans do not believe that elections should go to the highest bidder.
Congress has a short window of time to act before the first wave of
corporate
spending washes across the nation. Public opinion as well as democratic
principle are on the side of the DISCLOSE Act. We urge the House and
Senate to
consider and enact the legislation as quickly as
possible."
People For the American Way works to build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. We fight against right-wing extremism and the injustice it fosters.
1 (800) 326-7329LATEST NEWS
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