WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to strike down some limits on federal campaign contributions. The decision in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission reversed long-standing precedent and declared aggregate limits on campaign contributions in elections to be in violation of the First Amendment.
This court has struck another blow to American democracy with this sequel to Citizens United. By a narrow ideological margin, this court has effectively said that if you’ve got the money, elections are for sale. We should be increasing the ability of Americans’ voices to be heard, not drowning them out by allowing more big money to pour into campaigns. Both of these Supreme Court decisions should be wiped off the books.