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Statement Regarding Supreme Court Decision To Lift Bans On Corporate And Union Spending In Federal Elections

Statement

Date: Jan. 21, 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Judicial Branch Campaign Finance

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) released the following statement today on the Supreme Court's overturning of the law prohibiting corporations and unions from spending unlimited amounts of money independently in federal elections.

"Today's Supreme Court ruling is yet another nod to the wealthy corporate interests in this country. This ruling now allows big corporations to spend large amounts of money to influence elections far beyond the ability of individual Americans. The free market free-for-all announced by these justices makes me wonder, "What's next?' If today's ruling isn't legislating from the bench, I don't know what is."

In its decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Committee, the Court ruled 5-4 that corporations may spend freely to support or oppose candidates for President and Congress, overturning a century of restrictions on using corporate funds to purchase broadcast advertisements or billboards that urge the election or defeat of a federal candidate.


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