U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) earlier this month cosponsored a bipartisan resolution proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections.
“I’m pleased to once again join my colleagues in introducing the Democracy for All Amendment, which would make essential reforms to our nation’s campaign finance system,” said Rep. Katko. “In Congress, I’ve been a champion of these commonsense reforms and will keep working to restore democratic power to the American people.”
The proposed amendment, House Joint Resolution (H.J.Res.) 1, would affirm the right of states and the federal government to pass laws that regulate spending in elections and get big money out of politics, according to Rep. Katko’s office.
The congressman is an original cosponsor of H.J.Res. 1, which he introduced on Jan. 4 with sponsor U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL). The resolution to date has 41 other cosponsors, according to the congressional record.
The resolution also was introduced on the 11th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC), in which the Court overruled an earlier decision in Austin v. Michigan State Chamber of Commerce that allowed prohibitions on independent expenditures by corporations. The Court also overruled the part of McConnell v. FEC that held that corporations could be banned from making electioneering communications.
“The Court upheld the reporting and disclaimer requirements for independent expenditures and electioneering communications,” according to the FEC. “The Court’s ruling did not affect the ban on corporate contributions.”
“The Supreme Court’s disastrous ruling in Citizens United made clear that a constitutional amendment would be required to address the outsized role of money in politics,” Rep. Katko said.
The proposed resolution has been referred to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee for consideration.