January 23rd, 2026
ICYMI: End Citizens United, House Members Mark 16th Anniversary of Citizens United with Floor Speeches
WASHINGTON, DC — This week, End Citizens United Action Fund (ECU) marked the 16th anniversary of the Citizens United decision by organizing an effort that included floor speeches from 10 House members. Led by Representatives Joe Neguse and Suhas Subramanyam, the members discussed how unlimited and undisclosed money in politics has supercharged corruption, harmed working families, and eroded public trust, while reaffirming the need for comprehensive campaign finance reform.
Below are highlights of speeches from Democratic members of the House:
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam:
“When the wealthy few can drown out the many, we lose sight of who we are supposed to serve. Policymaking gets overshadowed by these special interests. After Citizens United, too often it is small groups of corporations and billionaires tipping the scales based on who serves their business interests. This can and must end. The American people have a voice, and if the majority support a candidate or a reform, that should win the day alone.”
Rep. Joe Neguse:
“That decision overturned longstanding precedent and limits on political spending by special interests. The decision created a dark money system where money speaks louder than everyday Americans. It has shifted power and influence away from everyday Americans, from the folks in our communities that we are privileged to serve, to instead these shadowy special interests that flood your television screen every evening. In my view, Citizens United undermined what it means to be a country of the people, by the people, and for the people — and above all, accountable to the people.”
Rep. Delia Ramirez:
“We need bold, legislative action if we’re going to end corruption and get Big Money out of politics and get corporate influence out of our communities. I want to close by thanking End Citizens United and its president, Tiffany Muller, for all the work they’re doing to ensure that we get dark money out of politics and that we ensure a democracy by the people, for the people. It is time we end this, and I know that collectively we can do it.”
Rep. Joe Morelle:
“It is well beyond time for Congress to pass a comprehensive campaign finance reform package to protect our constituents from the widespread political corruption that Citizens United unleashed. Since 2010, more than 10 billion dollars in corporate and dark money has saturated every aspect of our politics. Super PACs and dark money groups now spend vast sums to influence and sometimes determine election outcomes, while shielding their donors from public scrutiny.”
Rep. Adelita Grijalva:
“Fossil fuel companies and mining companies pour enormous sums into elections to block climate action, while communities like mine in Arizona face record heat, drought, and wildfires. This is a choice between democracy that serves donors or one that serves people. The choice couldn’t be clearer. Sixteen years after Citizens United, we need to shift the power back to everyday Americans and away from those who can write the biggest checks.”
Rep. Greg Landsman:
“This was a multi-decade campaign that big corporations and the super wealthy paid for to get a Supreme Court that would change the law so that they could spend whatever they wanted on their politics. Now they can spend unlimited amounts of money on elections, on campaigns, on politicians, and they don’t have to report any of it. Any major issue in this country — whether it’s attacks on democracy, the issues with our economy, health — it all can be traced back to the concentration of wealth and power and Citizens United.”
Rep. Jill Tokuda:
“This decision did not rewrite campaign finance law. It sold our democracy to the highest bidder. Before Citizens United, elections were about persuading voters. After, it became about courting billionaires. As of 2025, there are 2,502 super PACs. For the 2024 election, they’ve taken in over five billion dollars — much of it dark money, much of it undisclosed, and much of it designed to drown out the voices of everyday Americans. Let’s be clear: This isn’t free speech. This is legalized corruption.”
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier:
“When billionaires and corporations are able to spend unlimited amounts to influence the results of our elections, our elected officials are, in turn, unfortunately more likely to respond by passing legislation that benefits corporations and the richest Americans — while making life more expensive for middle class Americans… Our nation and the world are experiencing record levels of income inequality, and the impact of Citizens United and their handouts to the obscenely rich and powerful are only making it worse.”
Rep. Melanie Stansbury:
“We have a judiciary across the street who is considering undermining the fundamental voting rights of the American people, after their wealthy donors took them on trips and involved them in this vast scheme over the last several years to fundamentally remake America…This is what comes from Citizens United. And that is why I am absolutely dedicated to fighting to make sure that we get Big Money out of politics, that we end Citizens United, and that when we take back the House, I guarantee you that on day one, our priority will be to root this corruption and this rot out of the federal government.”
Rep. Valerie Foushee:
“When unlimited outside spending can be deployed against a single vote, it shapes the decisions lawmakers can take. It narrows the range of feasible policy. It rewards delay and protects entrenched interests, often at the expense of the public’s priorities. Meanwhile, Americans face one of the most pressing affordability crises in decades. Health care, housing, childcare, energy, and grocery costs are all rising. Yet policies that could provide immediate relief are repeatedly stalled.”
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For 10 Years, End Citizens United (ECU) has been dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money in politics and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide and is one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations.