Senators to Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United

Commentary: U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) will join Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to reintroduce the Democracy for All Amendment next week. This constitutional amendment would overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision, as well as other alarming decisions around campaign finance that led to floods of corporate and dark money in politics and diminished the voice of the American people in elections. These decisions have wrongfully equated money with free speech, and unfairly determined that big, wealthy corporations have the same First Amendment rights as people. This announcement coincides with Constitution Day, which commemorates the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and celebrates U.S. citizenry.  

The Democracy for All Amendment would put power back in the hands of the public and get big money out of politics by empowering Congress and states to set reasonable campaign finance rules and limiting corporate spending. The amendment would enshrine in the Constitution the right of the American people to regulate the raising and spending of funds in public elections, and curb the concentration of political influence held by the wealthiest Americans.

“As the influence of dark money in our elections continues to grow, the voices of ordinary Americans will continue to be drowned out by the wealthiest individuals and corporations,” said Senator Luján. “In addition, state legislatures across the country have passed multiple voter suppression laws that deliberately and disproportionately limit access to the ballot for voters of color. That’s precisely why this amendment is needed to get big money out of our politics and place the powers of our democracy back in the hands of our citizens. This Constitution Day, I’m proud to stand with Senator Shaheen and Leader Schumer and introduce this amendment to overturn Citizens’ United, restore our democracy, and empower voters once again.”

“Ensuring we are truly a government ‘of the people, by the people, for the people’ is a core democratic value that all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, hold dear. That’s why this constitutional amendment is so necessary, and on Constitution Day, I’m glad to announce I’ll be leading the charge to return the power to the people and get special interest and dark money out of our elections,” said Senator Shaheen. “The outsized influence of big money in American politics is a dangerous threat to the functioning of our democracy. The Citizens United ruling opened the floodgates for dark money and special and foreign interests to influence our politics with little accountability. We must safeguard our elections from these threats and ensure our politics reflect the will of the public – I hope both Democrats and Republicans will join me in this effort.” 

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ed Markey (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Michael Bennett (D-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) are also cosponsors of the Democracy for All Amendment.