Congressman Garamendi and House Democrats Vote for Transparency, House Republicans Vote for Unlimited Secret Corporate Influence in Elections

Press Release

Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA) today joined House Democrats in support of H.R. 5175, the DISCLOSE Act, which requires that most corporate, union, and special interest political advertising discloses who is paying for the advertising. This closes the biggest election loophole created by a recent court decision. It will ensure that the voices of the American people are not overpowered by a secretive corporate takeover of our elections. In the Citizens United case, the Supreme Court opened the floodgates to unrestricted special interest campaign donations in American elections--even from entities controlled by foreign governments. The bill passed by a 219-206 margin, with only two Republicans in support.

"There is nothing more corrosive to our democracy than hidden special interest money used to control elections," Congressman Garamendi said. "Today, House Democrats voted for transparency and good government. House Republicans voted to allow corporations to secretly buy elections."

"It is hard to understand why any member of Congress would oppose a bill that prohibits companies owned by foreign countries to be able to use limitless resources to influence elections here in America," Garamendi added. "If the DISCLOSE Act passes the Senate, Wall Street, insurance companies, Big Oil, and other special interests will have to disclose which elections they are trying to buy."

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