Heinrich Statement: Second Anniversary of Citizens United Supreme Court Decision

Statement

U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) released the following statement to mark the second anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC, which overturned a century of common-sense campaign finance laws and allowed unlimited corporate and special interest donations into our political campaigns. The anniversary is tomorrow, January 21:

"Like most New Mexicans, I was outraged when decades of law was overturned that prohibited corporations from spending unlimited money in political campaigns. The Citizens United decision was a victory for the Wall Street banks and Big Oil, but it was a slap in the face to average Americans.

"That is why I took action in Congress in 2010 and worked to pass the DISCLOSE Act--to increase transparency and disclosure of political spending. And just last year, I introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would regulate the raising and spending of funds in elections--regulating so-called, "Super PACs,' which we've all seen concentrate money and political power in the hands of the elite and away from working Americans.

"Our nation's democracy is founded on the right to vote and the ability of every citizen to participate in that process equally. It's time we put the American voter first and stop corporate excess in our elections. Make no mistake; our government belongs to the American people, not foreign corporations and powerful special-interest groups."

Source