People Are People, Corporations Are Not

After a brief delay, the House Business and Labor Committee today heard Rep. Ellie Hill’s resolution against the Citizens United decision.

This decision from the U.S. Supreme Court gave corporations more power to influence our elections, with little or no oversight. They can now spend money from their corporate treasury to actively support or oppose candidates for elected office. Unlike political contributions or expenditures from people, the corporation doesn’t have to disclose any information about where their money is coming from.

These corporations can now use this power to coerce elected leaders into taking positions that are favorable to them, even if it isn’t in their constituents best interest. As Rep. Hill put it while speaking on her bill, “Corporate spending in elections is akin to bribery.”

This resolution will likely face a committee vote in the next two days. If it is passed, the full House will vote on the bill next week.