We've witnessed money from corporations with significant foreign ownership flowing into our elections, circumventing direct bans on foreign influence enshrined in federal law. Citizens United created a massive loophole for foreign interests to acquire stakes in U.S. corporations and then use that leverage to influence or control the corporation's political activity, including campaign contributions, contributions to super PACs, and independent expenditures. Across the country, companies like Amazon and Airbnb with partial foreign ownership have used their money to influence the outcome of elections and to advance political agendas in their favor.

But we can put a stop to it. Congressman Jamie Raskin and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse have re-introduced the 'Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act', a bill to ban foreign-influenced corporations from spending money to influence our elections, closing a major Citizens United loophole and preserving American self-government. The bill would bar corporations with partial foreign ownership from contributing to candidates, parties, or committees (including super PACs) or from engaging in their own direct election spending. Free Speech For People was instrumental in drafting this model legislation and passing it in Minnesota, San Jose, California, and Seattle, Washington, and we continue to advocate for it on all levels of government.

Now more than ever, we must restore faith and confidence in our democracy. By banning multinational corporations from spending unlimited sums of money to influence our elections, we are upholding the letter of the law and getting us one step closer to a democracy that is truly by and for the people.

Sign if you agree: It's time to end foreign-influenced corporate spending in U.S. elections.