Lawmakers call for end to corporate money in politics
Rep. Tarik Khan August 5, 2026 | 2:54 PM
NORRISTOWN, Aug. 5 – A coalition of state lawmakers gathered with election reform advocates in Centennial Park today to urge the passage of legislation that would rein in the nearly limitless influence that corporations have over elections.
State Reps. Joe Webster, Tarik Khan and Paul Friel joined local advocates to formally announce House Bill 2728, a bill that would prohibit corporations from spending unlimited money on political ads and other communications in Pennsylvania.
The legislation Webster, Khan and Friel co-wrote with Rep. Ben Waxman seeks to mitigate the influence that unlimited dark money has had on elections since 2010, when the U.S. Supreme Court in its Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision lifted the bans preventing corporations and organizations from using their funds to run political ads or broadcast messages supporting or attacking candidates.
Webster said that in 2024 alone, federal elections saw over $4 billion in outside spending, nearly 12 times more than the amount spent in 2008. He said the trend has caused the voices of ordinary voters in U.S. elections to be drowned out by corporations seeking to gain more influence in government policymaking. Balancing the scales should be a top priority.
“There are a hundred or more?very important, complex, difficult issues that Pennsylvania and its legislators need to work on, head-on, and one?of?those?is the political influence of money--corporate money,” Webster said. “This bill would prohibit corporations from overpowering voter interests with their big political contributions. Because?it’s?time that we give Pennsylvanians the most important vote in our Commonwealth.”
Khan said corporate profits should go back into the U.S. economy, not into buying political influence.
“If?a?corporation?wants?to?make money selling products, that’s fine. It shouldn’t be using its profits?to?buy politicians,” Khan said. “Government should work for people, not the biggest?corporate checkbook. Our bill simply says that?corporations chartered in PA can’t spend?corporate money?to?influence our elections.”
Friel said he’s worried that big corporate money will eventually wipe out the truth of where elected representatives stand on issues affecting their constituents.
“Right now, politically active corporations are using their money to drown out the voice of the individual citizen,” Friel said. “This behavior is warping civic discourse and polarizing election outcomes. We must protect and prioritize the impact of real people. Their voice and their vote are what should?determine?the future of the country, not well-resourced corporations throwing their weight around.”?
Waxman said that corporate influence has resulted in bigger tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans while everyday people continue to struggle.
"Every day, we see the corrupting influence of corporate money in our politics,” Waxman said. “We know that corporate spending not only influences who gets elected, but what policies get enacted by local, state, and federal government. That's why we see so little help for working families but endless tax breaks for big business. I am proud to join with my colleagues to come up with a creative solution to address this issue in the current political environment. This bill should be a top priority for lawmakers of every party in Harrisburg."?
The news conference can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/live/J6aijuKcTZs.