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Resolution urges limits on corporate spending after Citizens United
Summary
SJR 18, presented by Sen. McNerney, urges federal and state action to curb corporate political spending and criticizes Citizens United; witnesses described the resolution as a start and urged broader policy options. The committee adopted the resolution and left the roll open for absent members.
Sen. McNerney introduced Senate Joint Resolution 18 as a message to the federal government disagreeing with the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision and urging states to find ways to limit corporate political influence. He said outside spending has grown substantially and framed the resolution as part of efforts to "rebuild public trust in our institutions."
McNerney offered numeric context: referencing research the author cited that outside spending grew from about $574,000,000 before Citizens United to over $4,500,000,000 in 2024, and argued that recent large-scale spending by major tech companies underscores the need for action. Trent Lang and other witnesses welcomed the resolution but asked the author to consider a broader set of policy approaches beyond the Montana corporate charter example, such as foreign-influence and contribution-limitation models used in other jurisdictions.
The committee recorded a motion to adopt SJR 18; the item moved forward with recorded support and the chair kept the roll open for absent members to confirm final tallies.
