January 21, 2016

Rep. Lee Calls for Action to Get Dark Money Out of Politics on 6th Anniversary of Citizen United

Oakland, CA – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement marking the 6th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision that allowed dark money to further influence the American political system:

“Six years ago, the Supreme Court handed down a controversial and destructive decision that has allowed dark money to further influence our nation’s democracy. Before this decision, special interests already had too much sway in Washington and the Supreme Court gave them even more.

The precedent that Citizens United set is dangerous and undermines the very bedrock of our democracy. Our democracy is founded on the voice of the American people; money should not be allowed trump their voices.

I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of the Democracy for All Amendment, H.J. Res. 22, which would amend the Constitution to reverse the Supreme Court’s decision allowing corporations, special interest and the super rich to have unlimited influence in our elections. On this anniversary, I once again call on my Republicans colleagues to join us in ensuring that the American people control our democracy, not money.”

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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.