Common Cause

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval of a proposed constitutional amendment that restores the ability to put sensible limits on political spending is an important step toward protecting and enhancing every American’s right to be heard in our political process, Common Cause said today.

“This amendment will begin to repair the damage to our democracy that comes with unlimited money in our elections. We call on all senators to support it when it comes to a full Senate vote later this year,” said Common Cause President Miles Rapoport.

“Americans all across the political spectrum recognize that a series of Supreme Court decisions have invited corporations, special interest groups and the richest 1 percent of our citizens to use their immense resources to drown out other voices. We commend Sen. Tom Udall for bringing forward this sensible proposal to strengthen the First Amendment and look forward to working with senators to pass it,” said Rapoport.

Common Cause spearheaded campaigns in 2012 in Colorado and Montana that provided the first demonstration of strong public support for an amendment to reverse the high court’s decisions in Citizens United, McCutcheon and other campaign finance cases. Voters and/or legislative bodies in 16 states and more than 500 localities, with a total population of more than 120 million, have now called on Congress to pass an amendment.

“We recognize that the amendment process is challenging,” Rapoport said. “And it should be; as the bedrock of our democracy, the Constitution isn’t something to amend except in the rarest of circumstances. That said, fundamental American values are at stake here and citizens are telling their representatives in Washington that it’s time to act. We urge the House to follow the Senate’s lead promptly and bring SJ Res. 19 to a vote.”

Office: Common Cause National

Issues: Money in Politics

Tags: Amend U.S., Fighting Big Money