Title: “The Fair Elections and Citizen Empowerment Act” OR “Repeal Citizens United”
Purpose:
To restore integrity to American elections by overturning the impact of Citizens United v. FEC, disbanding Political Action Committees (PACs) and Super PACs, and establishing ethical frameworks for unions to advocate politically without granting corporations or unions the same rights as individual citizens.
Section 1: Short Title
This Act shall be cited as the “Fair Elections and Citizen Empowerment Act.”
Section 2: Findings
Congress finds the following:
- Democracy thrives when all citizens have equal access to participate in the political process, a principle undermined by unlimited corporate and union spending.
- The Citizens United decision distorted the intent of the First Amendment, allowing the wealthiest entities to dominate political discourse.
- PACs and Super PACs have created a system that prioritizes financial power over civic engagement.
- Ethical participation by unions in politics should focus on educating and advocating for worker rights without contributing to political corruption.
- Transparent, small-donor-focused elections are essential to restoring public trust and empowering citizens.
Section 3: Repeal of Corporate and Union Personhood in Campaign Finance
- Definition of Personhood:
- Amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to clarify that only individual citizens are entitled to First Amendment protections for political contributions and expenditures.
- Prohibition on Corporate and Union Political Spending:
- Corporations, unions, and other organizations are prohibited from directly or indirectly funding political campaigns, advertisements, or other election-related communications.
- Enforcement:
- Violations of this section will result in severe penalties, including financial fines and potential disbandment of offending entities.
Section 4: Disbanding PACs and Super PACs
- Prohibition of PACs and Super PACs:
- The establishment, funding, or operation of PACs or Super PACs is prohibited.
- All existing PACs and Super PACs must dissolve within 90 days of this Act’s passage.
- Direct Contribution Requirement:
- All campaign contributions must come directly from individual citizens, with limits aligned to existing federal laws.
- Restrictions on Indirect Contributions:
- Bundling or other forms of indirect aggregation of contributions are strictly prohibited.
Section 5: Ethical Political Advocacy by Unions
- Union Advocacy Guidelines:
- Unions may engage in political discourse through:
a. Public Education: Providing factual materials on policies affecting workers, without endorsing or opposing specific candidates.
b. Voluntary Member Contributions: Establishing voluntary, member-funded committees for political purposes.
- Transparency Requirements:
- All political activities by unions must be disclosed in detailed public reports, including sources and expenditures over $1,000.
- Ban on Political Contributions:
- Unions may not contribute funds directly to candidates, campaigns, or political parties.
Section 6: Transparency and Anti-Corruption Measures
- Disclosure of Contributions:
- All political contributions exceeding $200 must be publicly disclosed in real-time through the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
- Ban on “Dark Money”:
- Contributions to any political entity must disclose donor identities. Anonymous donations are prohibited.
- Enhanced Penalties for Corruption:
- Individuals or entities found engaging in corrupt practices, including “quid pro quo” arrangements, will face fines, disqualification from political involvement, and, where applicable, criminal prosecution.
Section 7: Public Financing and Citizen Empowerment
- Public Financing Option:
- Create a voluntary public financing system for candidates to opt into, offering funding in exchange for agreeing to strict spending limits and refusing private donations.
- Tax Incentives for Small Donations:
- Encourage citizen participation by providing a tax credit for individual donations up to $200 annually to political campaigns or committees.
- Voter Education Fund:
- Establish a nonpartisan fund to support voter education initiatives and reduce misinformation in election cycles.
Section 8: Constitutional Consistency
This Act is consistent with the Constitution, as it regulates the financial mechanisms of political campaigns and does not infringe upon the First Amendment rights of individuals. It restores the original intent of the Constitution to prevent corruption and ensure equal representation for all citizens in the democratic process.
Section 9: Effective Date
This Act shall take effect immediately upon enactment, with all provisions fully implemented within 180 days.
Justification:
The Fair Elections and Citizen Empowerment Act seeks to eliminate the corrosive influence of money in politics by disbanding PACs and Super PACs, restricting corporate and union spending, and empowering individual citizens through transparent and equitable campaign finance systems. This legislation prioritizes ethical advocacy, restores trust in democratic institutions, and ensures that every voice—not just the wealthiest—counts in shaping America’s future.
