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H.J.RES. 54In CommitteeCIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES, MINORITY ISSUES

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the rights protected and extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only.

Constitution and constitutional amendments · Elections, voting, political campaign regulation · First Amendment rights
Sponsor
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
D · WA-7
Key facts
Introduced: Feb 12, 2025
Chamber: House
Cosponsors: 74
Congress: 119th
Latest action · Feb 12, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Summary

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment providing that the rights protected and extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only. Artificial entities, such as corporations, shall have no rights under the Constitution and are subject to regulation.

The amendment requires federal, state, and local governments to (1) regulate, limit, or prohibit election contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure equal access of citizens to the political process, regardless of economic status; and (2) require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.

Additionally, the judiciary is prohibited from construing the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.

Summary by Congressional Research Service.

Timeline

  1. Feb 12, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  2. Feb 12, 2025
    Introduced in House
  3. Feb 12, 2025
    Introduced in House

Cosponsors (showing first 30 of 74)

In the News

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