Bill Text: CA AR37 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relative to campaign contributions.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-08-04 - Read. Adopted. (Ayes 54. Noes 22. Page 5844.). [AR37 Detail]
Download: California-2013-AR37-Amended.html
BILL NUMBER: HR 37 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2014
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Wieckowski
APRIL 10, 2014
Relative to campaign contributions.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST
WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court's decision in Citizens
United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) 558 U.S. 310 upset
longstanding precedent limiting the political influence of
corporations; corporations and unions; and
WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court's decision in McCutcheon
v. Federal Election Commission, No. 12-536 (April 2, 2014) further
eviscerates our nation's campaign finance laws by overturning nearly
40 years of law upholding aggregate limits on campaign contributions;
and
WHEREAS, Aggregate contribution limits restrict the total amount
of money a donor may contribute to all federal candidates and other
political committees in an election cycle; and
WHEREAS, In holding that aggregate contribution limits are invalid
under the First Amendment, McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission
creates a legal loophole that allows an individual donor to
contribute millions of dollars to political parties and individual
candidates; and
WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court has long recognized that
campaign finance laws are necessary not only to eliminate quid pro
quo corruption in elections by preventing the direct exchange of
money for official action, but also to curtail undue influence by
wealthy donors; and
WHEREAS, The democratic process depends on unfettered
communication between the people and their elected representatives so
that the government may act in response to prevailing public
opinion; and
WHEREAS, Campaign finance laws that allow limitless contributions
subvert this political process by enabling the voices of the few to
override the collective voice of the many; and
WHEREAS, Removing aggregate contribution limits also engenders an
appearance of corruption that undermines the public's faith in its
government; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the
Assembly respectfully disagrees with the majority opinion and
decision of the United States Supreme Court in McCutcheon v. Federal
Election Commission; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly calls upon the United States Congress
to restore constitutional rights and fair elections to all people,
not merely to those who can afford it; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
