As Citizens United turns six, the movement to end 'legalized corruption' gains momentum

By Alex Kotch

Six years ago this week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, allowing unfettered political spending by corporations and unions.

As a result of that ruling and subsequent lower court decisions, corporations and unions as well as individuals can spend unlimited sums to both directly and indirectly advocate for the election or defeat of candidates for office via super PACs, which are required to disclose their donors, or "social welfare" and other nonprofit organizations, which are not.