[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 27, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   FREEDOM FROM FOREIGN-BASED MANIPULATION IN AMERICAN ELECTIONS ACT

  (Mr. HALL of New York asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. HALL of New York. I rise today to urge Congress to overturn the 
Supreme Court's ruling last week that allows corporations to buy 
Federal elections. Yesterday, I introduced the Freedom from Foreign-
Based Manipulation in American Elections Act, which will prevent 
foreign-influenced companies from buying U.S. elections. Should a 
Chinese corporation decide U.S. copyright policy or civil rights law? 
Should Saudi Arabia have a say on American energy policy? How about 
Venezuela? Should Hugo Chavez have a voice in American elections? These 
are the questions we must ask if the Supreme Court's decision is 
allowed to stand.
  The Court's decision flies in the face of a century of precedent 
keeping corporations out of elections. By giving corporations the same 
rights as individuals, the Court is handing corporations a blank check 
to decide elections instead of letting the voters do it. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in saying ``no'' to this decision and ``yes'' to 
democracy.

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