Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to address and counteract the effects of the United States Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC. It seeks to limit the ability of corporations and other artificial entities to influence elections through financial contributions and to clarify that constitutionally protected rights apply only to natural persons, not corporations or other non-human entities.

Main Provisions

• Constitutional Clarification: The bill requests that Congress propose a constitutional amendment to ensure the rights protected by the U.S. Constitution are exclusive to natural persons.
• Regulation of Corporate Influence: It calls for the regulation of political spending by corporations and other entities. The intent is that such entities should not have rights protected under the Constitution separate from their members.
• Limitations on Political Contributions: Federal, state, and local governments would be empowered to regulate political contributions and expenditures, including those made by candidates themselves, to ensure equal political access and influence amongst all citizens, regardless of economic status.
• Disclosure Requirements: All permissible political contributions and expenditures must be publicly disclosed to maintain transparency in the political process.

Significant Changes

• Overturning Citizens United: The bill fundamentally challenges the Citizens United decision, which deemed money as a form of protected speech under the First Amendment. This bill seeks to ensure that financial influence is not equated with free speech.
• Impact on Political Spending: By proposing these changes, the legislation aims to diminish the disproportionate influence that wealthy individuals and large corporations can exert on the political process through financial means.

Relevant Terms

• Citizens United
• Constitutional rights
• Natural persons
• Corporations
• Political contributions
• Financial influence
• Transparency in elections
• Equal political access