(Washington, D.C.) - Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down Montana's ban on corporate political spending:

"This decision is a dangerous blow to democracy. But our fight is far from over. 100 years ago, Montanans stood up and said elections belong to us, not to the copper kings.

And today we say the same thing. Our elections are not for sale to corporations. My constitutional amendment would right this wrong once and for all, and today's announcement makes me more determined than ever to get it done."

The Supreme Court ruled today (5 to 4) in the case, American Tradition Partnership v. Bullock, that corporations have the same rights as individuals and therefore can spend unlimited amounts on state elections.

In line with Montana's long tradition of ensuring elections cannot be bought, Baucus' Constitutional Amendment restores states' ability to regulate corporate spending. It is scheduled for a hearing in the Judiciary Committee in July.