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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Steven J. Santarsiero |
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Santarsiero calls for federal amendment to set campaign finance limits
Contribution, spending restrictions needed to protect interests of people
PHILADELPHIA, March 5 – State Rep. Steven J. Santarsiero, D-Bucks, today announced he is introducing legislation that would call for a federal convention to amend the U.S. Constitution in order to limit campaign contributions and expenditures. The measure, introduced today, has received bipartisan support with nearly 30 co-sponsors so far.
Santarsiero said the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, giving corporations the same right to free speech as individuals has effectively nullified important sections of federal campaign finance laws, which may cause challenges to the progressive limits on contributions and expenses already imposed at the federal, state and local levels of government.
"The Supreme Court's ruling that government may not ban political spending by corporations in candidate elections is essentially a victory for corporations and special interest groups that have the wealth and power to overpower the voices of ordinary citizens like you and me," Santarsiero said. "The influence of these powerful entities on politics is a growing concern and threatens political participation and our democracy."
Santarsiero, who was joined today by fellow state Reps. Josh Shapiro, Brendan Boyle and Babette Josephs, said he is introducing a concurrent resolution in the state House that would begin the process for a federal convention to amend the U.S. Constitution.
"In light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling to end restrictions on corporate money in politics, this effort to reform our campaign finance system is needed now more than ever," Shapiro said. "Unfettered contributions from corporations, political action committees or individuals only serve to further undermine the public confidence in government’s actions. Large contributions can limit the debate to include only the select few, making government actions small."
According to Article V of the U.S. Constitution, an amendment can be proposed to the Constitution if two thirds of both chambers of Congress deem it necessary, or if two thirds of the state legislatures apply to Congress.