Senate actually holding a vote for Campaign Finance Reform
by slamfu
Well, imagine my surprise when I found out that after all the whining from people like myself about how campaign finance laws have handed this country over to the wealthiest elites, the corporations, and anyone with deep pockets and an axe to grind, it turns out the Senateis actually taking some steps in the right direction. [icopyright one button toolbar]
On Monday, the Senate will vote on Joint Resolution 19, which is the first step in making an Amendment that will allow Congress and the States to regulate campaign financing. It’s by no means fixing the problem,j ust the start of what will no doubt be a long and hard fought journey to reclaim the soul of American politics.
If it goes the distance, a big IF, we can say goodbye to Buckely, Citizens United, and McCutcheon.
The following is the text of the Resolution:
“Article–“Section 1. To advance democratic self-government and political equality, and to protect the integrity of government and the electoralprocess, Congress and the States may regulate and set reasonablelimits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections.`
`Section 2. Congress and the States shall have power to implement and enforce this article by appropriate legislation, and may distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections.`
`Section 3. Nothing in this article shall be construed to grant Congress or the States the power to abridge the freedom of the press.”.
So far, looks like 50 Senators, all Democrats and Independents, have signed on, all the GOP Senators, and 5 undecided Democrats (Mark Pryor,Mary Landrieu, Joe Donnelly, Tim Kaine & Mark Warner) being in the other corner.
If you care about this issue, and you should, I would encourage folks to write their Senators about this.
Thanks, and have a great weekend.
Contact your Senator here
image: Wikimedia