FFC Urges Securities And Exchange Commission To Require Public Companies To Disclose Lobbying
September 29, 2014FFC has signed on to a corporate reform coalition statement calling on the Securities and Exchange Commission to require publicly traded companies to inform shareholders about the use of company funds for political purposes. The 2010 Citizens United ruling allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts of company money to influence elections. This decision was based on the assumption that corporations would, in the words of Justice Anthony Kennedy, “provide shareholders and citizens with the information needed to hold corporations and elected officials accountable for their positions and supporters.” In the years since the Citizens United ruling, however, the SEC has failed to create rules requiring corporations to do just that. FFC urges the SEC to create these rules so that shareholders can ensure corporate funds are being used in their best interest. FFC believes that corporate disclosure rules will provide greater transparency and allow shareholders to effectively evaluate a company’s use of resources. To view the statement on corporate reform coalition, click here