Robert Reich
Role at the time: Former U.S. labor secretary and political commentator
Statement summary
Reich criticizes Citizens United and argues that states could limit corporations' power to spend in elections. He urges California and Montana to lead that effort.
“It’s time to make Citizens United history. California (and Montana) can lead the way.”
The Minnesota House committee exhibit reproduces Reich's February 25 article in full. Reich criticizes Citizens United and proposes state limits on corporate political powers; the article does not establish that courts would uphold that approach.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
The ruling protecting corporate independent spending is the action under scrutiny. Reich explicitly calls for making it history and argues for limiting its practical effect. His support for an alternative state-law approach is grounded in opposition to the ruling.