Senate Dems: We Need an Amendment on Campaign Cash

Schumer says Supreme Court rulings have gone too far
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 30, 2014 1:20 PM CDT
Senate Dems: We Need an Amendment on Campaign Cash
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, speaks April 28 in New York.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Senate Democrats think the Supreme Court has made a mess of campaign finance rules, and they plan to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment this year to remedy the problem, reports Roll Call. Chuck Schumer announced the future vote today, arguing that decisions such as Citizens United, which unleashed huge super PAC donations, and McCutcheon, which struck down aggregate contribution limits, have gone too far. The amendment would allow Congress to regulate spending in federal elections and states to regulate spending in local elections, reports Reuters.

"The First Amendment is sacred, but the First Amendment is not absolute," said Schumer. "By making it absolute, you make it less sacred to most Americans. We have to bring some balance to our political system." The amendment from New Mexico's Tom Udall stands "little chance" of passing the Senate this year, notes Politico, but it would give Democrats in the fall elections a chance to portray their rivals as opposing reforms. (More campaign finance stories.)

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