Rep. Ron Kind: Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Further Open the Floodgates for Political Spending

Statement

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) released the following statement harshly criticizing today's McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission Supreme Court ruling that removes limits on how much an individual can donate in one election season to various political campaigns and political action committees (PACs):

"With this 5-4 decision to remove the limits on the cumulative total that an ultra-wealthy donor can give to candidates and PACs, the Supreme Court is giving even more power and influence to big money campaign contributors at the expense of everyday Americans.

"On the heels of the disastrous Citizens United decision, today's misguided ruling further illustrates the need for Congress to step in and restore some balance to our political process so that the voices of the people can be heard. That's why I'm fighting to pass comprehensive campaign finance reform legislation called the "Government by the People Act' that would reduce the influence of big money in politics, and make this a government of, by, and for the people.

"This bipartisan legislation would give all Wisconsinites a larger voice concerning what happens in Washington, and would shift Washington's priorities away from powerful special interests. It would provide a counterbalance to the Super PACs that flood the airwaves before an election, offer tax incentives to small-dollar donors, and create a fund to multiply the giving power of small-dollar donors.

"Until we can break the current campaign system's dependence on big money special interests and the wealthy, the priorities of average Americans will not get the attention they deserve."

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