On Fifth Anniversary of Citizens United, Congresswoman Barbara Lee Co-Introduces “Get Big Money Out of Politics” Constitutional Amendment
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Lee joined Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) and more than 80 of her colleagues in co-introducing the Democracy for All Amendment.
Today’s introduction coincides with the 5th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling in Citizens United v. FEC.
This proposed amendment would reverse this controversial and destructive decision.
“Special interests have too much sway in Washington. Their ability to spend unlimited sums of dark money in our elections is detrimental to our democratic process,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “Corporations are not people and we need the Democracy for All Amendment to restore legitimacy and get money out of politics.”
The amendment would add to the Constitution the right of the American people to enact state and federal laws that regulate spending in public elections.
BACKGROUND:
The Democracy for All Amendment (H. J. Res. 22)
Section I. To advance democratic self-government and political equality, and to protect the integrity of government and the electoral process, Congress and the States may regulate and set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections.
Section II. Congress and the States shall have power to implement and enforce this article by appropriate legislation, and may distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections.
Section III. Nothing in this article shall be construed to grant Congress or the States the power to abridge the freedom of the press.
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.