Purpose of the Bill

This resolution aims to address the influence of corporate and other artificial entities in U.S. elections. It urges Congress to overturn the decision in Citizens United v. FEC and articulate that constitutional rights are for natural persons, not corporations or similar entities. It seeks to redefine the nature of constitutional speech and clarify the use of money in politics.

Main Provisions

1. Recognition of Rights: It suggests that only natural persons should hold rights under the U.S. Constitution, distinctly separate from those extended to corporations and other artificial entities.
2. Regulation of Political Spending: The resolution advocates for Federal, State, and local governments to have the authority to regulate, limit, or prohibit monetary contributions and expenditures related to elections. This includes contributions from candidates themselves.
3. Equal Access to Political Processes: The resolution intends to ensure that every citizen, irrespective of their economic status, has equal access to political processes and no one can leverage their financial power to gain undue influence over election outcomes.
4. Transparency in Political Contributions: It calls for mandatory public disclosure of allowable contributions and expenditures to maintain transparency in the political sphere.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The resolution seeks to challenge previous interpretations by the Supreme Court that equated money with free speech, specifically aiming to reverse the implications of Citizens United v. FEC.
• It pushes for a constitutional amendment that reduces the influence of money in politics and gives clear precedence to human voters over corporations in the democratic process.

Relevant Terms

• Citizens United v. FEC
• Corporate personhood
• Political spending
• First Amendment rights
• Constitutional amendment
• Transparency in elections
• Financial influence in politics