Local, State and National Leaders Applaud Introduction of Constitutional Amendments to Overturn Citizens United and Related Cases

Today Senators Tom Udall [NM] and Jon Tester [MT] introduced amendment resolutions in the United States Senate that would overturn the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC (2010). Leaders from state and national organizations applauded the efforts of these US Senators as well as other members of the 113th Congress who are responding to the will of the American people by introducing and co-sponsoring amendments to the US Constitution.

The group includes leaders from the 15 state across the country that have already passed resolutions or initiatives putting their states on record calling for an amendment to overturn Citizens United and related cases.

"We applaud the leadership of Senator Tom Udall and others in Congress who understand that we must now amend the US Constitution to undo the Supreme Court's disastrous decisions in Citizens United, in Buckley v. Valeo, and in related cases... For the sake of our democratic future, we must end corporate rule over our political process and enact meaningful election reform in America," said Mimi Stewart, New Mexico State Representative and lead sponsor of the NM amendment resolution.

"Last month, I was proud to co-sponsor S.J.R. 27, a resolution calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to get money out of politics and overturn the Citizens United ruling. The values expressed in that resolution, which passed with bipartisan support, are reflected in the amendments introduced by Senators Udall and Tester," said Barbara Flynn Currie, Illinois House Majority Leader.

"In my district there has been overwhelming support for reversing the Citizens United ruling. Last November 74% of Kane County residents voted in favor of a public advisory to reverse the ruling. I'm proud to represent my constituents and their views in Springfield," said Karen McConnaughay, Illinois State Senator and lead co-sponsor of the IL amendment resolution.

"California's Legislature is on record as opposing the Supreme Court's misguided Citizens United ruling and I strongly support attempts by Congress to protect the integrity of our legislative and electoral processes. Congress must act to tip the scales away from the powerful corporate interests and back to the people," said Bob Wieckowski, California Assemblymember and lead sponsor of the CA amendment resolution.

"The state of Montana has spoken loud and clear on the need for such an amendment, and the time has come for the rest of Montana's congressional delegation to listen to our voices and go on record in support," said C.B. Pearson, Stand with Montanans Treasurer.

"The U.S. Constitution belongs to the American people, and in our history we have many times had to amend it to respond to the antics of a conservative Supreme Court playing politics with our most precious document ... I am urging the Maryland congressional delegation to join the campaign to reverse the Roberts Court and restore basic democratic and popular meanings to the Constitution," said Jamie Raskin, Maryland State Senator, Majority Whip.

"It is great that more members of Congress are waking up and moving the issue forward. We applaud those in Congress who understand the need for a constitutional change to undo the Court's grave mistake," said Anthony Pollina, Vermont State Senator and lead sponsor of the VT amendment resolution.

"When it comes down to democracy or big, corporate money, Vermonters definitely vote for democracy. Vermonters at 64 town meetings called for an amendment and the Vermont Legislature passed a resolution calling on the Court to reverse the decision last year," said Vermont State Senator and lead sponsor of the VT amendment resolution Virginia "Ginny" Lyons.

"We must now amend the U.S. Constitution to undo disastrous Supreme Court's decisions that have allowed money to swamp our elections and diminish the voices of everyday people... we must enact meaningful federal election reform that places voters, not wealthy campaign donors and special interests, first in our government," said Andrew Bossie, Executive Director of Main Citizens for Clean Elections.

"Americans' voices are being drowned out by huge corporations and wealthy special interests. We are heartened that these senators understand the need for a constitutional amendment to take our democracy out of the hands of corporations and wealthy special interests put it back into the hands of everyday people, where it belongs," said Marge Baker, Executive Vice President for Policy and Program of People For the American Way.

"We applaud Senators Jon Tester and Tom Udall for their outstanding leadership in introducing today their constitutional amendment bills to reclaim our democracy. We must reverse Citizens United and ensure that people, not corporations, govern in America and that the nation lives up to its fundamental promise of political equality for all. Senator Tester's sponsorship of the People's Rights Amendment and Senator Udall's re-introduction of his amendment bill on campaign spending represent significant political developments for our movement. They reflect the growing support across the country for overturning Citizens United and restoring democracy to the people," said John Bonifaz, Executive Director of Free Speech For People.

"The American people are refusing to accept the corporate takeover of our politics and country. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have called for a constitutional amendment to restore our democracy, as have nearly 500 cities and towns across the country. Now come U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) to supercharge the momentum for constitutional reform," said Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen.

"Our country has lived with the disastrous consequences of Citizens United for over three years now. Americans have had enough. Millions of Americans have registered their anger by filing voter instruction resolutions to overturn Citizens United at the ballot box, in town halls and in state capitols across the country. We applaud Senators Tester and Udall for taking seriously the voter instruction ballot measure that passed in Montana by 75% and a resolution that passed both chambers of the New Mexico state legislature. We look forward to working with Senators Tester and Udall and other members of the House and Senate as we work in every state to support a constitutional amendment to combat the flood of money unleashed by the Citizens United decision," said Karen Hobert Flynn, Common Cause Senior Vice President for Strategy & Programs.