FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 18, 2014
CONTACT: Jamie Serlin at 202-224-5042
Bill to overturn Citizens United takes important step forward
Judiciary Subcommittee passes constitutional amendment to restore protections against corruption
WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights has approved a resolution cosponsored by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United and restore Congress’ authority to regulate spending on campaigns. On Wednesday, the Committee approved S.J. Res. 19, a constitutional amendment crafted in response to Supreme Court rulings that have drastically expanded the role of money in politics, including Citizens United and, earlier this year, McCutcheon v. FEC.
“Our Constitution guarantees every American political equality and the equal right to participate in elections,” Senator Coons said. “Today, that right is in jeopardy, as a bare majority on the Supreme Court has systematically expanded the political influence of the wealthiest Americans at the expense of average citizens. By dismantling decades-old, commonsense measures to limit the influence of money in politics, the Supreme Court has disregarded the principle of political equality on which our democracy was founded.”
Senator Coons continued, “I do not take lightly proposals to amend the United States Constitution. As legislators, we should generally try to live within the Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court, rather than attempt to change it. But today I support this constitutional amendment because the Supreme Court’s recent decisions have led us down an unsustainable path that has invited secret money to play an increasingly destructive role in our politics. These decisions, rather than strengthening speech, have actually weakened the free speech rights of millions of Americans who can’t afford to play in this new system. At a time of growing economic inequality, this amendment will protect the rights of all Americans to a representative democracy and an equal voice in government.”
Senator Coons spoke on the Senate floor in May about the growing influence of big spending on our political system. Watch and read his remarks here: http://1.usa.gov/1mj4dNc