McGovern: Citizens United ‘put our democracy up for sale’

Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee and a longtime champion of ending the influence of dark money in politics, released the following statement Tuesday on the 10 year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision:

“Ten years ago today, the Supreme Court put our democracy up for sale with its disastrous Citizens United decision. Citizens United opened the floodgates for a handful of rich and powerful individuals and corporations to pour unlimited amounts of money into influencing our politics – poisoning our democracy and drowning out the voices of everyday Americans.

“House Democrats were elected into the majority on the promise that we would clean up corruption and restore trust and transparency to Washington. That’s why one of the first bills we brought up for a vote was H.R. 1, the For The People Act, to curb dark money in our politics and return power back to the people, where it belongs. I call on Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to give Americans a voice and bring up H.R. 1 for debate in the Senate. The Senate must stop being the place where democracy goes to die.

“And as we mark this somber anniversary, we must redouble our efforts to fight for and pass a constitutional amendment that overturns Citizens United, ends the dominance of big money in our elections, and returns us to government of, by, and for the people.”