Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)
“Citizens United undermined what it means to be a country of the people, by the people, and for the people, and above all, accountable to the people.”
Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse led his colleagues in a Special Order Hour on the House Floor marking 16 years since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) decision, which opened our elections to unlimited dark money.
Neguse has been a vocal proponent of fixing America’s broken campaign finance system since first being elected to Congress in 2018. In September of last year, he introduced a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and prevent unrestrained corporate influence and spending in politics. He also convened a group of next-generation reformers to introduce the End Corruption Now agenda, which proposes seven bills designed to put power back in the hands of the people.
During his remarks, Neguse underscored the importance of advancing the Citizens Over Corporations Amendment and restoring public trust in democracy.
To see the full video of Congressman Neguse’s remarks, click HERE.
A full transcript of his remarks is available below.
NEGUSE: Mr. Speaker, I stand on the floor of the People’s House to deliver what I believe to be an urgent message: The time to confront political corruption and clean up government is now.
Sixteen years ago, to this very day, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, that decision overturned long-standing precedent and limits on political spending by special interests. The decision created a dark money system where money speaks louder than everyday Americans. It has shifted power and influence away from everyday Americans, from the folks in our communities that we are privileged to serve, to instead, these shadowy special interests that flood your television screen every evening.
In my view, Citizens United undermined what it means to be a country of the people, by the people, and for the people, and above all, accountable to the people. And unfortunately, for far too long, this chamber has failed to do what needs to be done to renew the faith of the American people in our democracy. We cannot accept that. We have to do something about it.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I introduced legislation, in the form of a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution, that would revoke Citizens United. It would ensure transparency through our campaign finance reform and prevent unrestrained spending and dark money in our elections.
Put bluntly, it would put the power back in the hands of the American people.
And I want to thank my Democratic colleagues, 73 of them, who have already co-sponsored this legislation, who are joining us tonight to be part of this effort — this clarion call — supporting the restoration of integrity, of transparency, to Washington.
Together, I honestly believe with enough reformers, we can change the Congress. We can ban stock trading by members of Congress. We can end dark money in our politics. We can overturn Citizens United.
We just have to have the political will to do it.
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