February 12, 2025
Ms. Jayapal (for herself, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Doggett, Ms. Tlaib, Mrs. Ramirez, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Norton, Mr. Magaziner, Ms. Velázquez, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Castro of Texas, Mr. Khanna, Ms. McCollum, Ms. Brown, Mr. Peters, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Ms. Salinas, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Carbajal, Ms. Chu, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Frost, Ms. Adams, and Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania) submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
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.
That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States:
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1.
The rights and privileges protected and extended by the Constitution of the United States are the rights and privileges of natural persons only. An artificial entity, such as a corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under the Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law. The privileges of an artificial entity shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.
2.
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate’s own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of that person’s money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure. Federal, State, and local governments shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed. The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.
3.
This amendment shall not be construed to abridge the right secured by the Constitution of the United States of the freedom of the press.