Citizens across the country are calling on Congress to stop the out-of-control corruption of money in our political system and ensure that every American has a voice and real representation.
The call to end the domination of big money in our elections — supported by 75% of Americans — is taking another step forward in Congress.
On Sept. 17 — Constitution Day 2021 — U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced a Constitutional amendment to end unlimited political spending by overturning the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling. The 28th Amendment would ensure that all Americans have an equal voice in our elections and that politicians listen to their constituents, not their wealthiest donors. Earlier this year, the amendment also was introduced in the U.S. House by lead sponsors including Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL), John Katko (R-NY), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Jim McGovern (D-MA).
“Ensuring we are truly a government ‘of the people, by the people, for the people’ is a core democratic value that all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, hold dear. That’s why this Constitutional amendment is so necessary, and on Constitution Day, I’m glad to announce I’ll be leading the charge to return the power to the people and get special interest and dark money out of our elections,” said Senator Shaheen. “The outsized influence of big money in American politics is a dangerous threat to the functioning of our democracy. The Citizens United ruling opened the floodgates for dark money and special and foreign interests to influence our politics with little accountability. We must safeguard our elections from these threats and ensure our politics reflect the will of the public — I hope both Democrats and Republicans will join me in this effort.”
In the wake of the most expensive election in our nation’s history, passing this amendment should be Congress’s top priority. Political spending continues to set records in the wake of the Citizens United ruling, with spending for the 2020 election topping $14 billion. Amid that tidal wave of money, no average American can hope to gain the attention of our political leaders, whose astronomical campaign costs require an ongoing focus on fundraising. Amendments must be approved by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, then ratified by 38 states. A vote in Congress on the amendment is expected in 2024.
American Promise encourages the majority of Americans who share the view that our voices matter and that we must end the domination of money in politics to reach out to their members of Congress and ask them to support this amendment.
Citizens across the country are calling on Congress to act: Thus far 22 states — including Illinois, Nevada, and Virginia — have passed resolutions calling for the amendment, and voters in six states — Montana, Colorado, Alaska, California, Washington, and Massachusetts — have approved citizen initiatives.
“At American Promise, we’re Americans with a lot of different political views, but we’re working together to win the next amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” American Promise President Jeff Clements says. “It’s how we’ll stop the out-of-control corruption of money in our political system. It’s how we’ll ensure that every American has a voice and real representation.”
Act now: Contact your Congress members and ask them to support the 28th Amendment.
