The case of Citizens United has essentially credit Dark Money, the funds given to nonprofit organizations that can receive unlimited donations from corporations, individuals, and unions, and spend funds to influence elections, but are not required to disclose their donors.

Citizens United

In 2010 the United States Supreme Court voted 5-4 in the case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The ruling said that freedom of speech prohibited the government from restricting independent political expenditures by a nonprofit corporation. The principles articulated by the Supreme Court in the case have also been extended to for-profit corporations, labor unions, and other associations, opening the door for dark money and the essential purchase of elections.

The Supreme Court’s decisions in Citizens United and other cases opened the gates to a flood of billions of dollars that threatens to undermine our democracy.

Rep. Adam Schiff introduced a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. He has been outspoken on this issue for years.

"Our democracy is not for sale. We must stop the flood of dark money from drowning out the voices of everyday citizens," the California Democrat said in a statement on Twitter. He said such an amendment would "restore power to the American people".

What needs to be done: Two-thirds of the House and Senate must approve the change. Then, three-fourths of states must ratify it. Two-thirds of states also can call a constitutional convention to propose an amendment, under Article V of the US Constitution, but that option has never been exercised.