Dear MoveOn member, The American people are poised to make history.
If we act now, generations to come will remember the historic September 8, 2014, U.S. Senate vote on S.J. Res. 19, a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. They will remember the coast-to-coast cheers that erupted from a nation desperate for a solid gain in the fight to rid U.S. politics of the corrosive influence of big money.
For months, I’ve been working side by side with MoveOn’s team to make sure that more Americans understand the sprawling impact of Citizens United, as well as their absolutely critical role in pushing for the very first Senate resolution dedicated to its demise.
We’re in a sprint to the finish line. Our work is paying off. Together with our allies, we have secured 50 senators who are on the record as supporting S.J. Res. 19. But there’s still much more to do before and after the vote on September 8. And, quite frankly, we need $200,000 to get it all done.
Please join me in supporting MoveOn’s work to overturn Citizens United by chipping in $3.
When folks ask me why defeating Citizens United is essential, here’s how I frame what’s at stake: In case after case, the Roberts majority of the Supreme Court has basically told a handful of billionaires, “You and your corporations already own and control our economy. Now, we’re going to give you the opportunity to purchase the U.S. government, as well.”Among these billionaires are Charles and David Koch, who—thanks to Citizens United—are now busy unabashedly buying Tea Party-esque politicians in key states such as North Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan, and Colorado. Koch candidates are hell-bent on twisting our nation to match the interests of the elite and ultraconservative.
Let’s put the Koch brothers on notice that our democracy is not—and will never be—for sale.
Here’s MoveOn’s plan between now and September 8: With your support, MoveOn members will generate a blizzard of phone calls to cement existing Senate supporters of S.J. Res. 19. But that’s just the beginning. Using creative media and social-media tactics and hard-hitting on-the-ground events, they’ll also go after every senator conspicuously absent from the co-sponsor list, especially key Republicans.
It will be impossible to hide from MoveOn members. Each senator’s vote on S.J. Res. 19 will answer the question: Which side of history do you want to be on—that of your constituents or that of big money?
Please help MoveOn ask this critical question of every single senator and candidate by donating now.
Senators who have the nerve to vote against overturning Citizens United will be held accountable by MoveOn members through the midterm elections and beyond.
Think of S.J. Res. 19 as the American people’s first giant springboard. The fact that it’s coming to the Senate floor for a vote is already a big victory. Our job now is to secure as many votes as possible and—in a critical election year—not let the American people forget the senators who voted for the interests of big money instead of their constituents.
I can’t help but reflect on past constitutional amendment victories that changed our nation—like the ones propelled by people just like us to give women the right to vote or advance civil rights. We have big lessons to learn from each of these breathtaking victories and others like them.
The journey to a successful amendment passage—two-thirds majorities in both houses of Congress—was long and arduous. Millions and millions of Americans joined together in common cause. Every single person was necessary. And because of the grit and faith of our courageous predecessors, our nation emerged from these struggles a little wiser and a whole lot more just.
And so it will be when we rid our nation of Citizens United and take back our democracy. Let’s take a bold step forward on September 8, and let’s not look back until we win.
Thanks for all you do.
–Senator Bernie Sanders
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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. This email was sent to Ralph W. McCarthy on August 29, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here. 
