A Constitutional Amendment to Save Our Democracy
Step by step, the U.S. Supreme Court is dismantling our campaign finance system. Citizens United gave free speech rights to corporations and special interests. And with the Court's decision in McCutcheon, the super-wealthy have a green light to donate to an unlimited number of candidates. Now a billionaire in one state can influence the elections in 49 other states.
It's clearer than ever that we need a constitutional amendment to restore integrity in our election system. Money and free speech are not the same thing, and it is a tortured logic to say they are.
Americans are frustrated and they're working as part of a grassroots effort, calling for Washington to reform the campaign finance system. My constitutional amendment, S.J. Res 19, is gaining momentum, with 42 cosponsors to date who agree we must ensure our government is of, by and for the people - not bought and paid for by secret donors and special interests.
I spoke about my amendment during a recent hearing before the Senate Rules Committee, and today, the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing on this topic. Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised to bring the amendment to a vote on the floor, and I look forward to the debate.
My amendment is simple: it will restore authority to the American people, through Congress and the states, to regulate campaign finance. Most importantly, it would enable Congress to pass reforms that withstand constitutional challenges - meaning five justices on the U.S. Supreme Court could no longer allow wealthy individuals with unlimited cash to drown out the voices of regular voters.
Amending the Constitution is hard - and it should be. But it is not impossible.
Already 16 states and hundreds of local governments across the country have called on Congress to take action, showing strong public support for reform from all sides of the political spectrum.
It's going take a lot of voices, and I'll need your help to convince others why we must pass an amendment. I hope you'll join the debate online during the live webcast, using #getmoneyout and #backtothepeople.
Together, we can make sure our democracy functions the way our founders intended, and put our elections back in the hands of "we the people."
Udall Constitutional Amendment on Campaign Finance by Tom Udall
