Durbin Statement on Calculated Dark Money Scheme Targeting the Supreme Court by Ginni Thomas, Leonard Leo, and Network of Billionaires

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on POLITICO’s investigative report on the calculated financial scheme developed by Ginni Thomas, Leonard Leo, and billionaire conservative activists targeting the Supreme Court, which formed as the Supreme Court was considering Citizens United v. FEC:

“Dark money continues to be a dire threat to American democracy and the integrity of the Supreme Court. Ginni Thomas worked hand-in-hand with Leonard Leo and a gaggle of fawning billionaires to form a calculated financial scheme, capitalize on the forthcoming Citizens United decision, and influence the Supreme Court at the expense of its reputation.

“We’re living with the consequences of dark money’s influence on the Supreme Court every day. This well-funded influence operation has helped rollback abortion rights, affirmative action, LGBTQ+ protections, and more. Republicans need to get on board with the DISCLOSE Act to help restore integrity and public confidence in the Supreme Court.”

Last year, Durbin called out Senate Republicans for blocking the DISCLOSE Act, which would combat the flood of anonymous special interest spending in American politics following Citizens United.

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