Two years ago, the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC overturned a century of common-sense campaign finance laws and allowed unlimited corporate and special interest donations into our political campaigns. Leader Pelosi on the anniversary which falls tomorrow, January 21st:
Two years ago, the Supreme Court opened the floodgates to uninhibited special interest spending in our campaigns and in our politics. Its crushing decision in Citizens United undermined a fundamental American value: that the voices of the people determine the outcome of our elections, not the bankroll of the privileged few.
Democrats are committed to restoring transparency and fairness to our political process – to fighting for a new politics free of special interest influence. Our strategy is clear: we must fight for disclosure to shine a bright light on unlimited secret donations. We must reform the system, empowering small donors and the grassroots with a greater role in our elections. Ultimately, we must amend our Constitution, overturning the Supreme Court’s ruling that strengthened the hand of special interests at the expense of the people’s interest.
Our drive for clean campaigns is founded on a core principle: returning political power and influence to our nation’s voters. We must work together – Democrats and Republicans – to protect the rights of all citizens and preserve the integrity of our democracy.