Reforming Our Campaign Finance System

Statement

Dear Friend,

In the years since the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United, we've seen a massive wave of secret spending in our political system. There was over $100 million in "dark," unregulated and anonymous, money spent in the 2014 midterm election cycle, and with the presidential race right around the corner, in 2016 that number is expected to balloon to more than $600 million.

That's why, last week, I introduced a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, as well as the Arizona Free Enterprise Club's Freedom Club PAC v. Bennett decision, which struck down an Arizona law that allowed public financing of a candidate if their opponent exceeded certain spending limits.

It's clear that now more than ever we need real campaign finance reform. As a result of the Supreme Court's artificial distinction between contributions to a candidate and direct expenditures that have the same effect, Super PACs and anonymous donors are the norm rather than the exception.

My amendment is simple -- it would allow Congress to set reasonable limits, and allow states to set up public financing for candidates, if they choose to do so.

Citizens United has upended our campaign finance system, unleashing a torrent of anonymous spending and posing a significant threat to the health of our democracy. I hope that this bill will be part of an ongoing effort to restore confidence in our elections.

You can always share your thoughts through Facebook or Twitter. Through these quick-read updates, I hope to keep you informed of my work at home and in Washington, D.C. on issues of interest to our communities, as well as provide an opportunity for you to keep me informed of your views and interests. As always, I welcome hearing from you on this and any other issue, and hope that you will stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Congressman Adam Schiff

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