September 4, 2014

Members
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

RE: NAACP STRONG SUPPORT FOR S. J. RES. 19, A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO
LIMIT CAMPAIGN FINANCING

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the NAACP, our nations oldest, largest and most widely-recognized grassroots-
based civil rights organization, I strongly encourage you to support and co-sponsor a
Constitutional amendment that would make clear that Congress, individual states and the
American people have the authority to meaningfully regulate campaign finance and to restore
transparency and safeguard the role of individual voices in our democratically admired
elections. Specifically, S. J. Res. 19 will restore public confidence in the election process and
allow candidates running for office to focus their campaigns on the voters, rather than on
raising money from particular individuals or special interests. Furthermore, if enacted, this
amendment will encourage well qualified candidates for federal office who might otherwise be
discouraged from running by the need to secure money from special interests.

The corrupting role of money in politics is no secret and sadly it is ever increasing, informing
who stands for office, who wins, and, most critically, the eventual public policy Congress enacts.
The U.S. Supreme Court decisions in 2010 Citizens United v. FEC and 2014 McCutcheon vs. FEC
will only exacerbate these problems. Big money is the main reason Congress is increasingly out
of step with the interests of everyday Americans, particularly on issues of economic insecurity,
and particularly with racial and ethnic minorities and low-income Americans. It is becoming
increasingly clear that income and wealth inequality is rooted in political inequality. Until we
break this dependence on big money special interests in our campaign system, the policy
agenda for everyday Americans will be thwarted whether it be improving Americans
economic security, fighting for workers rights, improving stewardship of environment, or
improving our neighborhoods, you name it. The basic imperatives of a healthy democracy
the right to vote and the right to have your voice be heard desperately need to be
strengthened for individuals votes to mean something.



WASHINGTON BUREAU NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE
1156 15
TH
STREET, NW SUITE 915 WASHINGTON, DC 20005 P (202) 463-2940 F (202) 463-2953
E-MAIL: WASHINGTONBUREAU@NAACPNET.ORG WEB ADDRESS WWW.NAACP.ORG
We need to encourage campaign finance reform to restore the confidence of the voters that
their federally elected officials are responsive to the American people. It would also allow
candidates to spend less time talking to wealthy individuals and special interests and more time
listening to all of their potential constituents.

Thank you again for paying attention to the concerns of the NAACP. Should you have any
questions or comments on the NAACP position, please feel free to contact me at (202) 463-
2940.

Sincerely,

Hilary O. Shelton
Director, NAACP Washington Bureau &
Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy