Rep. Deutch’s Proposed Constitutional Amendment Would Repair Citizens United’s Damage to Democracy
Nov. 18, 2011
Rep. Deutch’s Proposed Constitutional Amendment Would Repair Citizens United’s Damage to Democracy
Statement of Robert Weissman, President, Public Citizen
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision last year empowered corporations to subvert our democracy; it signaled that the Law of the Jungle would displace even modest campaign finance rules, and it severely worsened the problem of corporations claiming constitutional rights that belong exclusively to real people.
Public Citizen enthusiastically applauds and endorses Rep. Ted Deutch’s (D-Fla.) proposed constitutional amendment, which would comprehensively repair the damage done to our democracy by Citizens United. It would clarify that constitutional rights are intended for real, live, breathing human beings. It would end corporate spending on elections. And it would give Congress authority to adopt a sensible campaign finance system. It would make America stronger, more democratic and more just.
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