Category: Democracy Amendments

WHEREAS the First Amendment to the United States Constitution was designed to protect the free speech rights of people, not corporations;

WHEREAS, for the past three decades, a divided United States Supreme Court has transformed the First Amendment into a powerful tool for corporations seeking to evade and invalidate democratically-enacted reforms;

WHEREAS, this corporate takeover of the First Amendment has reached its extreme conclusion in the United States Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Citizens United v. FEC;

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Sen Michael F. Bennet of Colorado may introduce a Constitutional amendment.
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Congressman Paul W. Hodes of New Hampshire is expected to introduce a Constitutional Amendment.

An Email from his campaign:

The last thing the people of New Hampshire need or want is more well-heeled special interests meddling in our elections and attempting to silence the will of Granite State voters.

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Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur is expected to introduce a new Constitutional Amendment in response to the "Citizens United" decision, and has already introduced this related amendment:

HJRES13:

Cosponsors in Thomas.loc.gov

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Congressman Leonard L. Boswell of Iowa has introduced HJRes68

Cosponsors in Thomas.loc.gov

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting corporations and labor organizations from using operating funds for advertisements in connection with any… (Introduced in House)

HJ 68 IH

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. J. RES. 68

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Sherrod Brown Introduces Citizens United Fixes
By David Dayen, FireDog Lake

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has introduced a bill that would mitigate the effects of the Citizens United ruling on corporate political spending. Saying that corporations already have enormous influence in Washington, as evidenced by their $3.3 billion dollars in annual lobbying expenses, Brown’s bill would at least try to stop this influence from moving into the electoral sphere.

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By Senator Dodd’s Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced today that he will be introducing a constitutional amendment in the coming days to reverse the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The decision overturned 100 years of precedents to come to the unjustified conclusion that corporations deserve the same free speech protections as individual Americans.

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Kerry Blasts SCOTUS Campaign Finance Decision
Press release from Kerry’s office

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) testified before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration at a hearing examining the Supreme Court’s recent ruling to allow unlimited corporate spending in elections.

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“Free Speech Rights Are For People, Not Corporations” WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland introduced today a constitutional amendment bill to overturn the US Supreme Court’s recent ruling allowing unlimited corporate money in elections. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, is a co-sponsor of the amendment
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Amendment language: 111TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. J. RES. _____ Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States permitting Congress and the States to regulate the expenditure of funds by corporations engaging in political speech. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland (for herself and Mr. CONYERS) introduced the following joint
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