Full Breakdown
Progressive Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Cap Super PAC Contributions
5/22/2026, 2:43:25 AM
Super PAC Cap Bill
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA-12) introduced the Abolish Super PACs Act. It caps contributions to super PACs at $5,000 for individuals and corporations. Rep. Ro Khanna and 17 House members co-sponsor the bill.
Legal Context
The bill follows the 2010 Supreme Court rulings Citizens United v. FEC and SpeechNow v. FEC, which removed contribution limits and created a “judicially created loophole” for super PAC spending. Critics say the decisions ignore anti-corruption precedent.
Sponsors
Free Speech For People, a nonprofit, backs the bill. President John Bonifaz and strategist Jocelyn Medearis-Viera endorsed it. Our Revolution director Joseph Geevarghese also supports the measure.
Funding Scale
The New York Times reported that 300 billionaires and families accounted for 19% of all federal campaign spending in 2024, through super PACs. Open Secrets data show 2,500 super PACs received over $5 billion and spent nearly $2.7 billion. Billionaire Elon Musk’s America PAC contributed $288 million to Republican candidates in 2024 presidential race.
Election Impact
Supporters say a $5,000 cap would stop millionaires and billionaires from bypassing contribution limits, narrowing the influence gap between voters and wealthy donors. Reducing super PAC resources seeks a level playing field for candidates and issue-based campaigns.
Official Statements
Sanders emphasized that ordinary voters receive only one vote while billionaires can spend unlimited amounts. Lee said the legislation would stop actors from bypassing guardrails. Free Speech For People highlighted the bill’s role in closing a loophole that enables wealthy interests to subvert campaign limits. Our Revolution called super PAC spending a root cause of political corruption and public distrust.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today, the average American gets one vote. Billionaires, however, through their super PACs, can spend unlimited amounts of money to elect the candidates of their choice and to defeat candidates who stand up for working families or a just foreign policy,” — Bernie Sanders, Senator
- “Our bill would ensure that millionaires, billionaires, corporations, corporate interests, special interests would no longer be able to get around the guardrails, the limitations that everyday individuals like you and I have,” — Summer Lee, Representative
- “Super PACs have become one of the primary mechanisms through which billionaires and powerful corporations distort our elections and dominate our politics,” — John Bonifaz, President, Free Speech For People
- “Unlimited outside spending and billionaire-funded super PACs are one of the root causes of political corruption and public distrust in government,” — Joseph Geevarghese, Executive Director, Our Revolution
Next Steps
Free Speech For People has launched www.abolishingsuperpacs.org to mobilize support and is urging Congress to pass the legislation.
