[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2181]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM AND CORPORATE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

  (Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, it has been 4 long years since the Supreme 
Court's awful Citizens United decision; and, sadly, this Republican 
leadership has failed to take action to address the increasing 
influence of big corporations and big money in our elections and our 
political discourse.
  The House has repeatedly voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act 
which, quite frankly, helps millions and millions of our fellow 
citizens get health care. We have voted to weaken financial regulations 
and environmental protections; and while I am pleased that most of this 
legislation has not become law, I find it troubling that we have not 
addressed an issue so fundamental to our democracy--the empowerment of 
everyday Americans over special interests.
  I am proud to be the sponsor of two constitutional amendments, H.J. 
Res. 20, which empowers Congress and the States to regulate political 
spending, while my people's rights amendment puts a stop to the growing 
trend of corporations claiming First Amendment rights.
  Sixteen States, including my home State of Massachusetts, and 
hundreds of cities and towns across the country have taken action to 
support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and the 
fabricated doctrine of corporate constitutional rights.
  Our democracy is of the people, by the people, and for the people. We 
endanger that most sacred value when big money, special interests, and 
corporations have unlimited power to buy and influence elections.
  Mr. Speaker, it is time for us to act.

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