Citizens United Prompts More Calls For Reform

Committees in both the House and the Senate have received proposals to amend the Constitution in response to the SCT's decision in Citizens United v. FEC.  A measure proposed this week by Senators Christoper Dodd (D-CT) and Tom Udall (D-MN) would expressly authorize Congress to set limits on federal campaign contributions and expenditures, and allow states to do the same for state elections.  A stronger proposal was introduced by Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IO) the day Citizens United was decided.  Boswell's amendment would bar corporations and labor organizations from using general treasury funds to pay for a federal campaign ad, regardless of whether the ad expressly advocates for the election or defeat of a particular candidate. 

I'm doubtful either of these measures has legs, though it's likely we'll see some kind of legislative reform.  One proposal with a fair amount of support is the Fair Elections Now Act, which seeks to eliminate the influence of corporate money by allocating federal funds to candidates who raise a certain amount through small-dollar contributions.  Other measures propose to strengthen corporate disclosure requirements, restrict the political speech of foreign interests and government contractors, and cap the price of campaign related TV ads.

-Kathleen Bergin