Time to stop corporations & the elitist rich from buying elections
Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate can strike a blow for democracy and working people next week by passing a constitutional amendment that would reverse Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United that allow corporations to make unlimited contributions to political campaigns says the Amalgamated Transit Union.
In an effort to increase pressure on the Senate ATU is urging all members and supporters to contact their senators to tell them to vote for S.J. Res. 19, which would amend the Constitution and overturn decisions like Citizens United by establishing that Congress and the states have the power to regulate and limit election spending.
“The Citizens United decision allowed the Koch brothers, their corporate allies and the elitist rich to lavish far more money than ever before on political candidates who share their goals of crushing working people, and defunding public transit,” said ATU International President Larry Hanley. “It’s time for the Senate to curb money in politics and put America back in the hands of the people.”
This critical vote will take place with the mid-term elections on the horizon and corporations, interest groups, and wealthy individuals pouring millions into critical Senate and House campaigns.
Polling has shown that an overwhelming majority of Americans oppose Citizens United, and 16 states and more than 550 cities have formally demanded that Congress pass a constitutional amendment to reverse the decision. Dozens of organizations also have collected approximately three million signatures calling for Citizens United to be overturned.
“Right now, the political playing field looks like a long, steep hill with working families at the bottom and big business and the wealthy at the top,” Hanley continued. “If we don’t level the playing field, corporations and the uber rich will continue to rule America at the expense of everyone else.”