Can you please elaborate on how USAID is using these specific supplemental Haiti reforestation funds, including how much of the $25 million is being spent on the actual replanting of sustainable tree cover?

Fair Elections translates popular support into winning campaign without requiring candidates to sell out to big money backers.

Not one penny of taxpayer money will be used to fund this system.

We will also discuss the Fair Elections Now Act, a comprehensive proposal which I have introduced to fundamentally reform the way that these Congressional campaigns are financed.

If I went to the people of my State, whom I know a little better than some other places, and said, 'Okay, here is what I am going to offer you: shorter campaigns, more direct contact between candidates and voters, more disclosure and…

None of that can be prevented unless we pass a statute that requires better disclosure and timely disclosure.

The point I am getting to is people want disclosure. They want to know, 'Durbin, who is it that is supporting you?' And they are going to ask the hard questions.

Why is it that Congress continues to approve the multi-billion-dollar contracts when the Pentagon does not even want the equipment?

I just think that the Citizens United decision, in addition to reversing all the precedent and standing the facts on their heads, has really created enormous opportunities for mischief, particularly on behalf of the people with money.

It is not just simply because of their love for our system of government.

This hearing of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights will come to order, and we will examine today the impact of the Supreme Court's 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC.

It encourages the true party in interest, like an oil company or the insurance association, to disguise itself.

The situation has been made worse by the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United.

I have yet to have anybody in my State ever come up to me and say, 'You know what the problem is? You are not spending enough money on your campaign.'

the American public is experiencing a crisis of accountability.

Fair Elections candidates will be able to stand up and publicly say, 'I did not take a dime from special interest groups.'

Clearly, it is time for Congress to step in.

This Fair Elections Now Act will amplify the voice of everyday Americans and, I hope, will break some of the gridlock in Washington.

Unchecked corporate spending in elections is, in fact, a form of corruption.

It is just nonsense.

Lobbyists and special interest donors will not have that kind of influence over candidates who participate in the Fair Elections system.

This flood of campaign spending from big corporations and special interest lobbyists is drowning out the voice of everyday Americans.

I do not understand how you can have 'corporate personhood.' That is really from Oz.

Restoring a government of, by, and for the people requires reforming the way we finance Congressional campaigns.

That is why I introduced the Fair Elections Now Act, with 12 of my Senate colleagues.