Heinrich: Increasing Transparency And Disclosure of Political Spending

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) announced that he is a co-sponsor of legislation to control the flood of special interest money into America's elections. H.R.5175, known as the DISCLOSE Act, is the legislative response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC.

The DISCLOSE Act would establish the toughest-ever disclosure requirements for election-related spending by big oil corporations, Wall Street banks, and other special interests. The bill would increase transparency and disclosure of political spending so voters know who is trying to influence them in elections, keep foreign companies from influencing America's elections, and ensure that corporations that took money in the Bush bailout can't turn around and spend that money in elections. Rep. Heinrich spoke on the floor on the House of Representatives in support of the DISCLOSE Act.

"Madame Speaker, like most Americans, I am outraged by the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case that overturned decades of law that prohibited corporations from spending unlimited money in political campaigns.

"The Citizens United decision was a victory for the Wall Street Banks, Credit Card companies and Big Oil, but it was a slap in the face to average Americans.

"Today, I'm proud to announce that I am co-sponsoring the DISCLOSE ACT, which is a direct response to the Citizens United decision.

"The DISCLOSE Act will increase transparency and disclosure of political spending.

"It will prevent foreign corporations from places like Venezuela and Saudi Arabia from influencing American elections.And it will ensure that corporations that took money in the Bush bailout can't spend that money to influence our elections.

"It's time we put the American voter first and stopped corporate excess in our elections. The DISCLOSE Act will do just that.

"I yield back."

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