Press Release – March 26, 2015
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945;
Patrick Jackson (302) 744-4046 or (302) 242-0036
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945;
Patrick Jackson (302) 744-4046 or (302) 242-0036
Senate passes resolution calling for constitutional convention and amendment to overturn Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision
The Delaware State Senate has passed legislation calling for a constitutional convention for the purpose of drafting an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that curbs money’s influence in politics.
The legislation, Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, now heads to the House of Representatives.
Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, and Rep. Bryon Short, D-Brandywine Hundred, are the lead sponsors of SCR 6, which calls for an Article V Constitutional Convention where state delegations would pursue an amendment that reverses the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission and subsequent campaign finance developments.
Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, a Constitutional Convention must be convened if called upon by two-thirds of all state legislatures. Delaware’s delegation would be comprised of state and local office holders, or those chosen locally, and not any federal appointees or elected officials.
Townsend said unfettered financial contributions during campaigns and the legislative process have warped America’s political system.
“Our system of government is supposed to be dependent on, and in turn serve, the people,” Townsend said. “Recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court have taken our democracy in a very different direction, and the time has come for Delaware to join a growing chorus of states that are calling for change.”
Townsend is hopeful that the House will take up the legislation in the coming weeks.
“Poll after poll shows Americans overwhelmingly believe there should be reasonable limits on political spending,” Townsend said. “Delaware should join the growing number of states demanding that the will of the people is followed.”
If both houses of the General Assembly pass SCR 6, Delaware would join California, Illinois, New Jersey and Vermont in passing such a resolution. Similar bills in Hawaii and New Hampshire have passed in one chamber, but like Delaware, await votes in the second chamber. Additional legislative efforts are underway in several other states.
“I’m pleased this bill will be making its way over to the House for consideration and I thank Senator Townsend for shepherding it through his chamber,” said Rep. Short. “I firmly believe that the way our elections are funded creates a sense of distrust among our constituents about the political process. I had hoped Congress would have acted in the wake of Citizens United, but in the absence of that, calling for a constitutional convention is the next appropriate step.”
The legislation, Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, now heads to the House of Representatives.
Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, and Rep. Bryon Short, D-Brandywine Hundred, are the lead sponsors of SCR 6, which calls for an Article V Constitutional Convention where state delegations would pursue an amendment that reverses the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission and subsequent campaign finance developments.
Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, a Constitutional Convention must be convened if called upon by two-thirds of all state legislatures. Delaware’s delegation would be comprised of state and local office holders, or those chosen locally, and not any federal appointees or elected officials.
Townsend said unfettered financial contributions during campaigns and the legislative process have warped America’s political system.
“Our system of government is supposed to be dependent on, and in turn serve, the people,” Townsend said. “Recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court have taken our democracy in a very different direction, and the time has come for Delaware to join a growing chorus of states that are calling for change.”
Townsend is hopeful that the House will take up the legislation in the coming weeks.
“Poll after poll shows Americans overwhelmingly believe there should be reasonable limits on political spending,” Townsend said. “Delaware should join the growing number of states demanding that the will of the people is followed.”
If both houses of the General Assembly pass SCR 6, Delaware would join California, Illinois, New Jersey and Vermont in passing such a resolution. Similar bills in Hawaii and New Hampshire have passed in one chamber, but like Delaware, await votes in the second chamber. Additional legislative efforts are underway in several other states.
“I’m pleased this bill will be making its way over to the House for consideration and I thank Senator Townsend for shepherding it through his chamber,” said Rep. Short. “I firmly believe that the way our elections are funded creates a sense of distrust among our constituents about the political process. I had hoped Congress would have acted in the wake of Citizens United, but in the absence of that, calling for a constitutional convention is the next appropriate step.”
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Press Contacts
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov