WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today after voting to advance S.J. Res 19., a proposed Constitutional amendment that would regulate and limit the raising and spending of money for federal political campaigns:

“The fundamental principle of American democracy has always been that the people govern. But the massive amount of money that flows into our system today only undermines that by drowning out the voices of ordinary Americans,” Senator King said. “With this Constitutional amendment, we’re trying to return the law to where it was prior to recent Supreme Court decisions, which fundamentally changed people’s understanding of the First Amendment, campaign finance law, and the role of protecting the public interest in the electoral process. With this amendment, we’re telling every American that, regardless of who you are or where you live in this country, your voice is equal to the person next to you and that you have just as much say as the next guy in how you’re represented.”

Senator King is a cosponsor of S.J. Res 19, which:

• Would overturn the Buckley and Citizens United Supreme Court decisions by granting Congress the express authority to regulate and limit the raising and spending of money for federal political campaigns and allow states to regulate campaign spending at their level;

• Includes the authority to regulate and limit independent expenditures, including those made by corporations;

• Would not dictate any specific policies or regulations, but instead would allow Congress to pass campaign finance reform legislation that withstands constitutional challenges;

• Expressly provides that any regulation authorized under the amendment cannot limit the freedom of the press

Senator King has chaired two Senate Rules Committee Hearings to examine the influence of dark money on U.S. elections and underscore the urgency of expanding disclosure requirements for campaign contributions. He has also introduced the Real Time Transparency Act, which would require that all campaign contributions of $1000 or more be filed with the FEC within 48-hours.

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