Lever Time MONEYBOMB, Part 2: The 28th Amendment (With Rep. Joe Neguse)
Oct 23, 2025
U.S. Representative Joe Neguse from Colorado's 2nd district joins to discuss the fight against the Citizens United decision. Neguse shares insights on how dark money distorts democracy and why he believes the independent expenditure loophole is a legal fiction. He outlines his Citizens Over Corporations Act, aiming to restore campaign finance control to states. The conversation delves into bipartisan opportunities for reform and examines how industry spending shapes Congressional behavior, while also proposing a lobbying ban to rebuild public trust.
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Citizens United's Claim Didn't Age Well
- The Citizens United ruling claimed corporate independent expenditures do not give rise to corruption or its appearance.
- David Sirota highlights that the opinion's assertion has not aged well given the rise of dark money and influence in politics.
Musk's Pennsylvania Spending Example
- Joe Neguse cites Elon Musk's hundreds of millions spent on an ostensibly independent operation in Pennsylvania as a clear example.
- He argues that such spending was obviously supportive of Trump's election and exposes the legal fiction of 'independent' expenditures.
Dark Money Uses Nontransparent Channels
- Massive untraceable spending often flows through 501(c)(4) groups that don't disclose donors.
- Neguse warns voters and members may never learn who funded attack ads that shape congressional races.
