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Rep. Johnson: Citizens United ruling sets dangerous precedent

February 3, 2010

Congressman: ‘Corporations are not citizens’ when it comes to elections:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson, Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, voiced serious concerns Wednesday regarding the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

On January 21, the Supreme Court overturned long-held precedent by ruling that Congress may not limit corporate spending on campaigns for federal office. While limits on direct contributions to candidates stand, the Court ruled that corporations could spend unlimited amounts of money expressly advocating for the election or rejection of a candidate for federal office.

At Wednesday’s hearing of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, Rep. Johnson questioned expert witnesses regarding the implications and validity of the ruling.

“How does this ruling help the man on the street make informed decisions in the voting booth?” Rep. Johnson asked. “How does this facilitate the free exchange of ideas? This ruling will allow corporations to saturate the airwaves with disinformation to ensure that their candidates are elected. Corporations are not citizens, and it is appropriate for government to regulate their spending on advocacy where there is a compelling public interest.”

Rep. Johnson is an original cosponsor of H.R. 4522, the Prohibiting Foreign Influence in American Elections Act, which was introduced by Rep. Bill Pascrell on January 26, 2010. The bill would ban campaign contributions and expenditures by domestic corporations with foreign ownership or management.

Johnson is also cosponsor of the Fair Elections Now Act of 2009, a bill that would promote public financing of campaigns such that federal candidates could spend more of their time hearing from constituents and making good policy instead of fundraising.


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