Citizens United v. FEC

An updated and expanded report released by People For the American Way today analyzes the impact corporate money had on the 2010 elections, the first election cycle after the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC.

People For the American Way today released a TV ad in Colorado today calling out Senate candidate Ken Buck for the millions of dollars in support he’s received from shadowy corporate interest groups

As the Supreme Court returns today for its new term, a bipartisan group of law professors and prominent attorneys, including seven former state attorneys general, issued a letter criticizing the Court’s ruling in January in Citizens United v. FEC, which equated corporate spending in elections with free speech rights, and calling on Congress to consider a constitutional amendment to overturn the decision.

A new report by People For the American Way profiles the work of nine organizations that are funneling money, in many cases from undisclosed donors, to help elect pro-corporate candidates in the 2010 elections.

The House Financial Services Committee approved the Act, which would require corporations to receive permission from a majority of shareholders before setting aside a budget for campaign expenditures, and would require all large election-related expenditures to be disclosed to shareholders and the public.

This afternoon, the Senate will begin debate on the DISCLOSE Act, a bill that would tighten campaign spending disclosure rules for corporations and unions, and limit which corporations are able to spend money to influence elections. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill tomorrow.

Talking Points Memo has reported an exchange in which Sen. Jeff Sessions, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, defended the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC by comparing it to the decision to desegregate American schools in Brown v. Board of Education.

Results of a poll conducted by Hart Research Associates for People For the American Way revealed that Americans across the political spectrum are intensely concerned about corporate influence in our democracy and disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC.