Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections.
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 121
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-11: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:08:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 121) proposes a constitutional amendment to empower Congress and state governments to regulate campaign contributions and spending in elections. The goal is to promote democratic self-government, ensure political equality among citizens, and safeguard the integrity of government and the voting process by addressing the influence of money in politics.
Key Provisions
- Section 1: Grants Congress and the states authority to regulate and impose reasonable limits on how candidates and others raise and spend money to influence elections, aiming to advance self-government, equality, and electoral integrity.
- Section 2: Provides Congress and the states with the power to enact laws enforcing the amendment. This includes the ability to differentiate between natural persons (individual humans) and artificial entities (such as corporations or unions created by law), potentially prohibiting the latter from using funds to influence elections.
- Section 3: Clarifies that the amendment does not allow restrictions on freedom of the press, preserving journalistic independence.
The amendment would become part of the Constitution if ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Currently, Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United v. FEC (2010) interpret the First Amendment (which protects free speech) to limit federal and state regulation of campaign spending, treating it as protected expression and equating corporate spending with individual speech.
- This amendment would override those interpretations by explicitly authorizing reasonable limits on election-related spending, allowing distinctions between individuals and corporations that are not permitted under current law. It would shift power back to Congress and states to enact stricter campaign finance rules without violating constitutional free speech protections.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Federal Election Commission (FEC) and state election bodies could gain broader authority to enforce new campaign finance laws, potentially increasing oversight and reducing legal challenges based on First Amendment grounds.
- On Citizens: Voters may experience more equal access to political influence, as limits on big-money donations could reduce the dominance of wealthy donors or groups, fostering fairer elections. However, individual donors might face new restrictions on contributions.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could indirectly affect how foreign-influenced spending (already restricted) is regulated if states or Congress expand prohibitions on artificial entities.
- Overall, it could lead to cleaner elections but might limit political expression for some groups.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Candidates and Political Campaigns: Would face new limits on fundraising and spending, potentially leveling the playing field but complicating grassroots efforts.
- Corporations and Unions (Artificial Entities): Could be barred from direct election spending, curtailing their current role in funding ads or PACs (political action committees).
- Individual Citizens and Voters: Benefit from reduced money's influence but may see changes in how they donate or express political views.
- Congress and State Governments: Gain expanded regulatory powers to reform election laws.
- Media Outlets: Protected from regulation, ensuring they can report on elections without interference.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: As a proposed amendment, it would fundamentally alter the balance between free speech (First Amendment) and election regulation, requiring no further judicial review once ratified. It addresses a long-standing debate over whether money equals speech in politics, potentially resolving inconsistencies from Supreme Court rulings.
- Political: Ratification demands supermajority support (two-thirds in Congress and three-fourths of states), making passage challenging and politically divisive. Success could reshape campaign finance reform efforts, while failure might reinforce the status quo favoring unlimited spending. The involvement of over 30 bipartisan co-sponsors signals broad but not unanimous support in the House.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
Cosponsors (44)
Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-11: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-09-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections. — issued 2025-09-11 — PDF (2 pages)