Expenses in election cycles of corporations and the super-rich through the so-called dark money groups has risen sharply since the 2010 Supreme Court decision Citizens United vs FEC, which allowed the united organizations and trade unions spend unlimited quantity of money promote or attack candidates. Democrats unsuccessfully protested against Decree for more decade, saying ability for corporations and billionaires advocate for or against candidates anonymously through such groups gave them tremendous influence in American politics. Republicans fought for the right of corporations to make political donations, even if some of they were named for greater transparency in campaign financing.
Before vote On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (DN.Y.) noted that when the Supreme Court down this is decision in Citizens Uniteddissenters justices warned that the ruling “threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions throughout the country.
“Unfortunately, they turned out be right,” Schumer said. “By giving large corporations the same rights as individual citizens, multibillionaires are able to voice … sinking out Kinds of citizens, and, discarding decades of campaign financial law and creation way for powerful elites pump almost endlessly cash, Citizens United mutilated our democracy almost beyond recognition.”
“Now the choice before the Senate is simple. There will be members vote today to cure our democracy of crayfish of dark money or will stand in in way and allow this disease to metastasize uncontrollably?” Sumer added. “Members must pick a side. Which the side you on? side of American voters and’one human, one vote’ or side of super PAC and the billionaire donor class are faking game in their favor?
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (DR.I.), the sponsor of the bill, compared such grim money groups to the “dark octopus of corruption and deceit” that have infiltrated the democracy. Although federal law prohibits super PAC from coordination with political campaigns when it comes to spending and contentWhite House added“you can bet” that candidates – and lawmakers – will sniff out of what information However.
“It’s kind of fake fun and games darkness money allows to invade our democracy,” Whitehouse said.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) criticized the bill as an “insult to the First Amendment” and urged Republicans vote against it’s Thursday.
“Today’s liberal priority is a piece of legislation designed to give unelected federal bureaucrats more power over private First Amendment rights and political activism, as well as depriving Americans of their right to privacy. who talk out about politics in them private lives,” McConnell said before vote.
Earlier this week, President Biden called on Republicans join democrats in supporting Disclosure Law. In his White House speech, Biden referred to the late Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), saying his “friend” supported campaign financial reforms of fundamental justice. He pointed out what currently protection groups can run pre-election day ad without disclosure who paid for announcement, and that even foreign organizations that are not allowed to participate in political campaigns can use dark money loopholes to try to influence the election.
“And at its best, our democracy serves all people the same way, regardless of wealth or privileges,” Biden said at the time. “But here’s the thing: too many – too many – money which flows in shadows to influence our choices… Dark money became so common in our politics I believe the sunshine best disinfectant”.
Biden said it’s dark money groups were problem for both Republicans and Democrats, but said that while Republicans in Congress did not support the adoption new campaign financial laws to address issue.
“It ends up happening down to public trust. Dark money destroys public trust,” Biden said. “We need protect public trust. And I’m determined to do it.”
John Wagner and Azi Paybara contributed to this report.
