Sheila Jackson Lee: “Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for your leadership and boldness on this issue. Mr. Chairman, I hold in my hand a…”

“Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for your leadership and boldness on this issue. Mr. Chairman, I hold in my hand a version of the Constitution that is in this very distinct book of rules. And clearly I think it is important for the American people to understand really the action items of this legislation. Can you imagine a government contractor being paid by your tax dollars--they might be doing the right thing, we don't know--but advocating with your tax dollars for a position you do not want without you knowing that that is occurring? This bill is under the First Amendment because it says that we give you more transparency. If we read the Constitution in its entirety, the opening says that 'We have come together to form a more perfect Union.' That means if people are dissatisfied with this bill, they have a right to petition the courts. But we believe we are erring on the side of rightness, breaking those bold chains of big money around your neck and allowing people to either be elected or run for office, dominated, slammed down on the basis of big money. This is a good change. I ask for my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the DISCLOSE Act, H.R. 5175. I have said repeatedly that this has been one of the most difficult decisions of my political career. However, I strongly believe that if we do not support H.R. 5175, we will be overwhelmed during this election cycle by the richest corporations and individuals in the U.S.…”