Five Years After Unleashing Dark Money, Supreme Court Decision Continues to Sap American Democracy

Statement

Today, Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-34), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, released the following statement five years after the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Supreme Court decision:

"Our democracy should not be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Five years after the Citizens United ruling unleashed unlimited, undisclosed campaign contributions, it continues to tarnish the integrity of our democracy. Super PACs have spent more than $1 billion on federal elections since the 2010 ruling with 60% percent (that's $600 million) of that spending coming from only 195 people.

"As President Obama said last night in the State of the Union, dark money threatens to pull us into the gutter. Dark money contributors can now hide in the shadows of our political system and make donations without ever having to face public scrutiny.

"Congress must take steps to ensure that working-class Americans have a voice in government. That's why I have once again cosponsored three critical measures: the Democracy for All Amendment (H.J. Res. 22), the Government by the People Act (H.R. 20), and the DISCLOSE Act (H.R. 430). I call on my colleagues and the American people to stand up against this attack on our democracy and end the days of dark money spending."

Source