(Washington, D.C.) –
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray spoke on the Senate floor to strongly support
the DISCLOSE Act and urge Senate Republicans to allow it to pass. This bill
closes loopholes opened by the Citizens United Supreme Court case that
allowed corporations and special interest groups to spend unlimited amounts of
their profits supporting or opposing candidates in elections without disclosure
or accountability.
The DISCLOSE Act would
enhance disclosures and disclaimers in campaign spending by corporations and
special interest groups. It would ban foreign governments from spending money
to influence U.S. campaigns. And it would make sure shareholders and voters are
fully informed of corporate campaign spending.
Excerpt
from Senator Murray’s speech:
“This
Supreme Court ruling was a true step backwards for our democracy. It overturned
decades of campaign finance law and policy. It allowed corporations and special-interest
groups to spend unlimited amounts of their money influencing our
democracy. And it opened the door wide open for foreign corporations to
spend their money on elections right here in the United States!
“The
Citizens United ruling has given special interest groups a megaphone they can
use to drown out the voices of citizens in my home state of Washington and
across the country. And the DISCLOSE Act would tear that megaphone away
and place it back in the hands of the American people, where it belongs.”
The
full text of Senator Murray’s speech follows:
“Mr.
President, I come to the floor once again to speak in strong support of the
DISCLOSE Act, which would close the glaring campaign finance loopholes
opened up by the Citizens United ruling.
“Mr.
President, this Supreme Court ruling was a true step backwards for our
democracy. It overturned decades of campaign finance law and policy. It allowed
corporations and special-interest groups to spend unlimited amounts of their
money influencing our democracy. And it opened the door wide open for
foreign corporations to spend their money on elections right here in the United
States!
“The
Citizens United ruling has given special interest groups a megaphone they can
use to drown out the voices of citizens in my home state of Washington and
across the country. And the DISCLOSE Act would tear that megaphone away
and place it back in the hands of the American people, where it belongs.
“So
that is why I am extremely disappointed that Senate Republicans continue to
block this critical legislation.
“Mr.
President, this is a very personal issue for me.
“When
I first ran for Senate in 1992, I was a long-shot candidate with some ideas and
a group of amazing and passionate volunteers by my side.
“These
volunteers cared deeply about making sure the voices of Washington state
families were represented.
“They
made phone calls and went door to door—and they talked to families across the
state who wanted more from their government.
“Well,
Mr. President—we ended up winning that grassroots campaign because the people’s
voices were heard loud and clear.
“But
to be honest, I don’t think it would have been possible if corporations and
special interests had been able to drown out their voices with an unlimited
barrage of negative ads against candidates who didn’t support their interests.
“So
that is why I support the DISLOSE Act.
“I
want to make sure no force is greater in our elections than the power of voters
across our cities and towns. And no voice is louder than
citizens who care about making their state and country a better place to live.
“The
DISCLOSE Act helps preserve this American values in a number of ways.
“First
of all, it shines a bright spotlight on the entire process.
“The
DISCLOSE Act will make corporate CEOs and special interest leaders take
responsibility for their ads.
“When
candidates put campaign commercials up on television, we put our faces on the
ad and tell every voter that we approve the message. We don’t try to hide
what we are doing.
“But
right now, corporations and special interest groups don’t have to do that.
“They
can put up deceptive and untruthful ads with no accountability—and no ability
for the public to know who is trying to influence them.
“The
DISCLOSE Act also strengthens overall disclosure requirements for groups
attempting to sway our elections.
“Too
often, corporations and special interest groups are able to hide their spending
behind a mask of front organizations—because they know voters would be less
likely to believe the ads if they knew the motives behind their sponsors.
“The
DISCLOSE Act ends that—it shines a light on this spending and makes sure voters
have the information they need so they know what they can trust.
“This
bill also closes a number of other loopholes opened up by the Citizens United
decision.
“It
bans foreign corporations and special interest groups from spending in U.S.
elections.
“It
makes sure corporations are not hiding their election-spending from their shareholders.
“It
limits election spending by government contractors to make sure taxpayer
funding is never used to influence an election.
“And
it bans coordination between candidates and outside groups on advertising—so
corporations and special-interest groups can never ‘sponsor’ a candidate.
“Mr.
President, the DISCLOSE Act is a common-sense bill that shouldn’t be
controversial.
“Anyone
who thinks voters should have a louder voice than special interest groups
should support this bill.
“Anyone
who thinks foreign entities should have no right to influence U.S. elections
should support this bill.
“Anyone
who agrees with Justice Brandeis that ‘sunlight is the best disinfectant’
should support this bill.
“And
anyone who thinks we shouldn’t allow corporations like BP or Goldman Sachs to
spend unlimited money influencing our elections should support this bill.
“Mr.
President, every two years we have elections across this country to fill our
federal elected offices.
“Every
two years voters have the opportunity to talk to each other about who they
think will represent their communities best.
“And
every two years it is these voices of America’s citizens that decides who gets
to stand here representing them in the United States Congress.
“Mr.
President, this is the basis of our democracy—and it is exactly what the
DISCLOSE Act aims to protect.
“So
I am proud to support this bill.
“And
I urge my colleagues to stand up against special interests and for voters in
their states and allow this bill to pass today.
“Thank
you. I yield the floor.”
English 
Spanish