Dozens of Mainers Submit Testimony in Support of Anti-Corruption Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Augusta, ME – The Maine Ethics Commission released a report on July 24 containing public testimony from dozens of Mainers in support of a constitutional amendment that would restore the ability of States and Congress to set reasonable limits on campaign spending. Forty-two comments were submitted, a record for the Commission on any area of public policy, and 40 out of the 42 comments were in favor of the amendment.
The report, which will be published annually for the next 7 years, is an important accountability measure that was established as part of the Question 2 ballot initiative which passed last November with 86% support, the largest margin of victory of any statewide referendum in Maine history.
“It is time to restore our democracy to the people,” said Senator Rick Bennett (R-Oxford) in his public comment to the Commission. “It is time to take our republic back from the carnival of corruption it has become. A carnival where immense cash flows from special interest groups, foreign actors, and transnational corporations fund armies of lobbyists, political consultants, and media companies.”
Question 2 also banned foreign governments and entities that they own, control or influence, from spending money in Maine elections. The new law was immediately challenged in federal court by foreign government owned entities and media associations – the biggest beneficiaries of political spending – attempting to overturn the will of Maine voters. The federal district court issued a preliminary injunction which has, at least temporarily, stalled the implementation of the initiative.
These lawsuits and the Court’s preliminary opinion underscore the importance of an anti-corruption amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Decisions by the Supreme Court have emboldened foreign entities to claim that they have a right under our Constitution to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence American elections. The only lasting solution is to amend the U.S. Constitution to make it clear that States and Congress have the power to set guardrails on money in our political system.
The Maine Ethics Commission is charged with collecting public comments and reporting annually on progress made by Maine’s Congressional delegation advancing a constitutional amendment to “reaffirm the power of citizens through their government to regulate the raising and spending of money in elections.” The public comments show overwhelming support among Mainers from across the political spectrum, including business owners, community leaders, state representatives, and concerned citizens.
“The explosion of money doesn’t benefit voters, and it certainly doesn’t promote a thriving business environment,” said Jim Delamater of Oxford. “I’ve spent my career in business and banking in Maine. I care deeply about growing our state’s economy and making it work for everyone. Small and midsize businesses – the backbone of Maine’s economy – simply cannot compete for political influence against well-funded multinational corporations and foreign government owned companies.”
According to the report, there are six resolutions currently in Congress that meet the requirements of an anti-corruption amendment, three of which are already co-sponsored by members of Maine’s Congressional delegation. Maine is one of 22 states that have already passed formal resolutions calling for the constitutional amendment. Just this summer, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a resolution with broad, bipartisan support.
The initiative gained widespread attention in Maine after the 2020 US Senate election which attracted over $110 million in outside spending. Of that money, $8 of every $10 was spent on negative attack ads.
“It’s appalling that today’s ceaseless ratcheting up of campaign spending is also sometimes invested in nasty attacks on the opposition, repetitive manipulation or distortion of facts, and even brazen lies. Worse, this constant pressure is carried out anonymously. We have no idea who or how much foreign or corporate money is behind these manipulative messages. I am not alone in fearing for the future of our democracy under this pressure,” wrote Anne Winchester of Bristol.
Christopher Cayer, the Maine State Manager for American Promise, has been working to address this issue since 2021. “The people of Maine are ready for this reform”, Chris wrote in his public comment to the Commission. “In my ten years working in Maine politics, I’ve never seen an issue bring together such a wide range of supporters. This campaign has given me hope that our political differences can be bridged and that people can come together to make meaningful change in their communities.”
About American Promise
American Promise is a cross-partisan organization committed to a singular vision: ratifying the For Our Freedom Amendment to empower the states and Congress to set reasonable limits on political spending, ensuring every American voice counts.
Contact Information:
American Promise
Christopher Cayer
Maine State Manager
(207) 441-4413
chrisc@americanpromise.net
