Sanders Pushes Overturn of Citizens United Via Constitutional Amendment

Proponents of a constitutional amendment to overturn the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court ruling are hoping to stoke a grass-roots movement in support of campaign finance reform.

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Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) gathered for a Summit on Overturning Citizens United in Washington today. Sanders’ co-sponsor of the Saving American Democracy Amendment, Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), was not there.

Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), who has introduced the companion legislation in the House, was also there.

“We’ve seen campaigns propped up by a single donor,” Sanders said. “We have seen groups accept millions of dollars from undisclosed donors, and billionaires openly saying they plan to pour money into the upcoming general elections. This is not what democracy is supposed to be about.”

Hawaii and New Mexico have passed resolutions calling on Congress to overturn Citizens United. Resolutions are pending in 17 other states. Attorneys general from 11 states recently sent a letter to congressional leaders calling for a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United.

“There comes a time when an issue is so important that the only way to address it is by constitutional amendment,” Sanders said.

Introduced in December, the amendment is currently in the Judiciary Committee.

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