Neguse, Schiff, McGovern, and Lee Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United

Washington, D.C. — This month, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse joined Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), as well as Representatives Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Summer Lee (PA-12) to introduce an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would overturn Citizens United v. FEC and limit corporate influence and spending in American politics. This measure, dubbed the “Citizens Over Corporations Amendment,” would ensure Congress and states can set reasonable limitations on political spending and influence by corporations on U.S. elections. 

Rep. Neguse has been a vocal proponent of fixing America’s broken campaign finance system since first being elected to Congress in 2018, repeatedly championing legislation, like Congressional Democrats’ For The People Act, to push back against the influence of big money in American politics. Most recently, he convened a group of next-generation reformers in the House to introduce the End Corruption Now agenda, which proposes seven bills designed to put power back in the hands of the people and effectively stop the selling of access and influence in Washington, D.C. 

“The time to confront political corruption and clean up government is now,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “The Citizens Over Corporations Amendment works to renew people’s faith in our democracy by ensuring transparency through campaign finance reform and preventing unrestrained spending and dark money in elections.” 

“The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United opened the door for corporations to pour billions of dollars of dark money into elections. This anonymous and unrestricted spending cripples transparency in the political process and weakens our democracy. Our amendment will keep big money out of politics and restore power where it should belong — with the American people,” said Senator Schiff.  

“Elon Musk poured millions into electing Donald Trump and then used the influence he bought to fire federal workers, dismantle USAID, and strip health care from millions,” said Congressman McGovern. "Citizens United gives billionaires like Musk even more power to rig the system for the well-off and well-connected. That’s not a democracy—it’s an auction. I’m proud to support the Citizens Over Corporations Amendment, which will overturn Citizens United, get big money out of politics, and put power back where it belongs—in the hands of the people." 

“Some say the beginning of the collapse of our democracy was when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Citizens United, giving the green light to corporations and billionaires to pour hundreds of millions into our elections and drown out the voices of everyday people. At the root of why we cannot make progress on so many urgent policies is a system where money speaks louder than people. The Citizens Over Corporations Amendment is about changing that. It is about putting power back where it belongs, with the people, so we can build a government that works for all of us, not just the wealthy few and their corporate interests,” said Congresswoman Lee. 

The Citizens Over Corporations Amendment will: 

• Make clear the Constitution does not restrict the ability of Congress or states to set reasonable, viewpoint-neutral limitations on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections 
• Distinguishes between natural persons, corporations, or other artificial entities, including by allowing Congress or the State to prohibit such entities from spending money to influence elections
• Allow public financing of campaigns when states choose to enact such laws, which can restrict the influence of corporate or private wealth
• Take further steps to protect the freedom of the press in the case of future campaign finance-related legislation. 

It is endorsed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Democracy Defenders Action, Public Citizen, End Citizens United, People for the American Way, and Free Speech For People.  

"Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v FEC 15 years ago, unlimited and untraceable money has flowed from the pockets of corporations and the ultra-wealthy into political campaigns", said Stuart McPhail, Director of Campaign Finance Litigation, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). "In the 2024 federal election cycle alone, over $2.7 billion was funneled through super PACs to various political campaigns. This dark money corrodes our democracy by allowing corporations and billionaires to hide their identities while greatly influencing elections and policy. CREW is proud to endorse the constitutional amendment introduced by Senator Schiff and Representatives Neguse, McGovern, and Lee to overturn Citizens United and ensure that the voices of average citizens are not drowned out by moneyed interests." 

"Democracy Defenders Action wholeheartedly endorses Sen. Adam Schiff and Reps. Joe Neguse, Jim McGovern, and Summer Lee's constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United," said Virginia Canter, Ethics and Anticorruption Chief Counsel and Director, Democracy Defenders Action. "This crucial step will ensure that all Americans, not just the super-rich and corporations, have an equal voice in our elections--and true representation in our democracy." 

“Citizens United has turned our democracy into a government that serves the ultra-wealthy. Political spending by billionaires has surged an astonishing 160-fold since the 2010 Supreme Court decision, and working families are paying the price like never before as self-enriching politicians bankroll tax breaks for their biggest donors. Senator Schiff’s amendment is a bold and commonsense step to reclaim government for the people. We applaud his leadership to challenge the billionaire class, fight corruption in Washington, and get Big Money out of politics,” said Tiffany Muller, President, End Citizens United.  

“Citizens United destroyed our nation’s safeguards against the undue influence of money in politics. For 15 years now, dark money has flowed freely, allowing the rich and powerful even more influence over our elections. This amendment is essential to preventing that continuing assault on the integrity of our elections. People For the American Way is proud to support this amendment as we work toward building a democracy truly of, by, and for the people,” said Svante Myrick, President, People For the American Way. 

“The vast majority of Americans want the real voices of real people to matter more than the money that corporations and the super-rich funnel into our political system. The devastating Citizens United decision 15 years ago dramatically altered the landscape of our politics—unleashing a flood of cash and deepening the outrage that regular people feel at the inequities baked into our democracy. We must overturn this decision. Senator Schiff, and Reps. Joe Neguse, Jim McGovern, and Summer Lee have remained focused and continue pushing for a constitutional amendment to do just that. Public Citizen strongly supports their efforts,” said Lisa Gilbert, Co-President, Public Citizen.

A fact sheet on the legislation can be found HERE.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

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