250 to 250: 82. Citizens United, Narrated by Steve Bullock

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Citizens United, Narrated by Steve Bullock

Former Montana Governor and Attorney General Steve Bullock led the states’ efforts challenging the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United v. FEC decision. His case, ATP v Bullock, remains the only case to reach the Supreme Court directly challenging Citizens United. He remains a prominent figure in the national conversation surrounding money in politics.

In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case Citizens United versus Federal Election Commission.

• The case was about money and political campaigns.
• The Court made its decision by a 5–4 vote.
• The Court ruled that corporations and labor unions can spend money independently to support or oppose political candidates.
• The decision changed earlier limits on this type of political spending.
• After the decision, outside spending in federal elections increased greatly.
• Some political groups can spend money without publicly identifying all of their donors.
• This is sometimes called “dark money.”

Supporters of the decision say political spending is protected by freedom of speech.
Critics of the decision say large amounts of money can give wealthy groups too much influence in elections.

• Justice John Paul Stevens disagreed with the Court's decision.
• He warned that the decision could hurt public trust in elected government.
• Citizens United continues to be an important debate about free speech, money, and elections in the United States.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 9:2. Have you EVER registered to vote or voted in any Federal, state, or local election in the United States?
• USCIS 100:37 / 128:51. What does the judicial branch do? 
• USCIS 128:54.  How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
• USCIS 100:50. Name one right only for United States citizens.
• USCIS 128:64. Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?

Family Fun:

• Bill of Rights Institute: Citizens United v. FEC
• Brennan Center for Justice: Citizens United, Explained
• Law for Kids: Kids Voting Coloring Activity Book
• NCC: Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
• NYC Votes and NYC Campaign Finance Board: No Dark Money: New York City's Response to Citizens United | Follow the Money Portal
• PBS Frontline: How the Citizens United Decision Changed U.S. Political Campaigns
• Roosevelt Institute: 15 Years After Citizens United: Big Money’s Grip on Our Democracy | factsheet
• Senator Alex Padilla: Dark Money Influencing Our Democracy
• Senator Bernie Sanders: Citizens United  
• Senator Cory Booker: On the Anniversary of Citizens United
• The Story of Stuff: The Story of Citizens United v. FEC
• TEDx: Money Talks: Revisiting Citizens United | Maia Cook | TEDxNewHaven