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John,
Thirteen years ago, Justice Clarence Thomas was one of the deciding votes in the disastrous 5-4 Citizens United Supreme Court decision that opened the floodgates to unlimited spending by the wealthy in our elections.
But, for years before that, billionaire Republican mega-donor Harlan Crow had already been currying favor with Justice Thomas, showering him with luxury vacations and extravagant gifts―the majority of which Thomas never disclosed.[1]
So, while most voters never have access to Supreme Court justices, let alone members of Congress, billionaires like Harlan Crow are able to buy private access to the most powerful people in the country.
According to our latest research, the Crow family has increased its political donations by 862% since the 2010 Citizens United decision, spending $20.5 million between 2010 – 2022, when they spent just a combined $5.3 million in the 23 years prior.[2]
Donate today to bring this research, including the chart below, to voters across the country and shine a light on how billionaires use their wealth to buy power and influence.
Together, we’re fighting back against billionaires buying elections and fighting for an economy that works for everyday people, not just the wealthy and corporations.
Andrea Haverdink
Digital Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund
[1] “Clarence Thomas Secretly Accepted Luxury Trips from GOP Mega Donor,” ProPublica , Apr. 6, 2023
[2] “Travel Rewards: What the Crow family may have bought by hosting those luxury trips for Justice Thomas,” Americans for Tax Fairness, May 1, 2023
-- David's email --
John,
A recent bombshell report from ProPublica revealed that for decades, GOP mega-donor Harlan Crow has hosted Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on luxury vacations worth hundreds of thousands of dollars―that Thomas never disclosed.[1]
Justice Thomas was the tie-breaking vote in the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision, which gutted campaign finance laws and opened the floodgates to unlimited spending in our elections. Now, new Americans for Tax Fairness research shows that since Thomas’ tie-breaking vote, the billionaire Crow family has increased its political giving by 862%.[2]
Between 1977 and 2009, the Crow family spent roughly $5 million to influence federal elections. But in the 12 years since Citizens United, they spent $20.5 million. That’s an average of $163,000 per year before Citizens United vs. $1.6 million annually since.
According to ATF research, last year, billionaires spent at least $900 million in federal elections―mostly to elect far-right candidates who share their vision of tax cuts for the rich and powerful and massive reductions in public services for working people ranging from public schools to healthcare.[3]
We’re shining a spotlight on billionaires buying elections―and buying access to Supreme Court justices. Help bring our latest research and the chart below to voters across the country and fight back against billionaires buying our democracy.
This vicious cycle of billionaires buying access to and currying favor with the most powerful officials in Washington, and then benefiting from the laws they write and the rulings they make is distorting our democratic process.
Donate today to fight for an economy, and a democracy, that puts working people first.
If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately:
Thank you for all that you do to fight for a future that includes all of us, not just the wealthy few.
David Kass
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund
[1] “Clarence Thomas Secretly Accepted Luxury Trips from GOP Mega Donor,” ProPublica , Apr. 6, 2023
[2] “Travel Rewards: What the Crow family may have bought by hosting those luxury trips for Justice Thomas,” Americans for Tax Fairness, May 1, 2023
[3] “Report: Billionaire Money in the 2022 Election,” Americans for Tax Fairness, Nov. 3, 2022
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