[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 30, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CAMPAIGN FINANCE LEGISLATION

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 30, 2019

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, this week, I introduced three pieces of 
landmark campaign finance reform legislation. Out-of-control campaign 
spending has reached a dangerous level in this country and we must 
reform our campaign finance system if we are to restore voting power 
back to the American people.
  First, I have introduced a Constitutional Amendment granting Congress 
and the States the power to establish limits on contributions and 
expenditures in elections for public office. This amendment nullifies 
Citizens United v. FEC. Additionally, the amendment concludes that 
First Amendment protections do not apply to the political speech of 
corporations and other business organizations with respect to the 
disbursement of funds in connection with public elections.
  Second, I have introduced a resolution expressing the sense of 
Congress that the U.S. Supreme Court misinterpreted the First Amendment 
in the case of Buckley v. Valeo when it equated campaign spending with 
free speech. It is clear that Buckley v. Valeo failed to recognize that 
unlimited spending of money on elections has a corrosive effect on the 
electoral process. In order to secure free speech as a right of `we the 
people,' this misinterpretation must be reversed.
  Last, the Fairness in Political Advertising Act would require 
television broadcasting stations to make available 2 hours of free 
advertising broadcast time in each even-numbered year to each qualified 
political candidate in a statewide or national election. This would 
help level the playing field for viable candidates running against 
campaigns bankrolled by special interests.
  My entire career in Congress, I have served in the People's House. 
We, the elected members of the House of Representatives, must stand 
with the people, not major corporations or wealthy donors who give 
millions to super PACs. I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation and return the power over our Democracy back to the 
American people.

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