Senate Subcommittee Action First Step Toward Restoring Democracy

Washington, D.C. -- The Communications Workers of America issued this comment following the vote by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights approving the amendment sponsored by Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) on getting big money out of politics:

The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee has taken an historic step forward to restore American democracy with its approval of S.J. Res 19, the Constitutional amendment that would enable Congress and the states to limit political spending and get big money out of politics. This amendment, when fully adopted, will repair the damage to our democracy that has occurred as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United and McCutcheon rulings. Those decisions warped our political process, giving the richest 0.1 percent the ability to control our elections and drown out the voices of ordinary citizens.

Money isn’t speech. This amendment protects free speech and a free press. It will restore the authority of Congress and the states to regulate political spending and return our democratic process to the people – where it belongs.

CWA and our partners in the Democracy Initiative are working to restore our democracy and to make this amendment a reality.