Update from Public Citizen Doubters beware. The constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and McCutcheon — to prevent a plutocratic takeover — is coming. Yesterday, in a truly historic moment for our democracy, the amendment was voted on for the first time in the United States Senate. Here’s what will become the 28th Amendment: To advance democratic self-government and political equality, and to protect the integrity of government and the electoral process, Congress and the States may regulate and set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections. Congress and the States shall have power to implement and enforce this article by appropriate legislation, and may distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections. Nothing in this article shall be construed to grant Congress or the States the power to abridge the freedom of the press. Public Citizen worked very closely with key senators on that simple yet powerful language. And at 3:49 p.m. Eastern time yesterday, the amendment was formally adopted by the Senate’s Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights Subcommittee. Of course, there is an awful lot of work yet to do. The amendment now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee. That’s scheduled for July 10. And then it goes to the full Senate, either later in July, or after the August congressional recess.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 20:40:42 +0000
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