ICYMI: CONGRESSMAN LIEU FILES FEC COMPLAINT AGAINST SUPER PAC SPENDING IN ELECTIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON – On July 7, 2016 Congressman Ted Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) joined Congressman Walter Jones (R I North Carolina) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D I Oregon) as elected official lead plaintiffs in filing a complaint before the Federal Election Commission (FEC) seeking to end super PAC contributions. The filing aims to reverse the 2010 federal appeals court ruling in SpeechNow.org v. FEC, which gave birth to the unlimited super PACs we have today. It was this lower court ruling—and not the Supreme Court—that made unlimited super PAC contributions possible. The FEC complaint alleges that super PACS have now become vehicles for wealthy donors to evade campaign contribution limits designed to prevent corruption and the appearance of corruption.
“I am honored to join my colleagues and Free Speech for People as one of the lead plaintiffs to compel the Federal Election Commission to enforce federal contribution limits on super PACs. It is time to get big money out of politics. Since the Speechnow.org v. Federal Election Commission decision, the amount of money spent on our elections has exploded, adding fuel to the public perception of election corruption. Americans across the political spectrum want to see their elected officials responsive to them instead of the ultra-wealthy. A recent investigation showing that over 40% of all super PAC contributions in the US come from just 50 people and their relatives is highly disturbing. The idea that the top 1%--of the top 1%--can essentially buy an election is a threat to our democracy. We are not an oligarchy. Progress happens when people stand up and demand a change. The vast majority of the American people want to see limits to campaign contributions. It is time we address these inequities and advocate for change to our campaign finance system.”
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The full video of the Bill Press Show interview can be found HERE.
The full video of the Capitol Hill press conference can be found HERE.
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