HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/14/2011 - STAFF REPORTS - 00 JENIIE13 S.L.C.
•
112 CONGRESS 1S So J. RES•
1ST SESSION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to expressly
exclude for-profit corporations from the rights given to natural persons
by the Constitution of the United States, prohibit corporate spending
in all elections, and affirm the authority of Congress and the States
to regulate corporations and to regulate and set limits on all election
contributions and expenditures.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. SANDERS (for himself and Mr. BEGicH) introduced the following joint
resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United
States to expressly exclude for-profit corporations from
the rights given to natural persons by the Constitution
of the United States, prohibit corporate spending in all
elections, and affirm the authority of Congress and the
States to regulate corporations and to regulate and set
limits on all election contributions and expenditures.
i Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-
3 thirds of each House concurring therein), That the fol-
• 4 lowing article is proposed as an amendment to the Con-
/o{/� /sZ0</
e
-c—rl /� Vail
JENIIE13 S.L.G.
2
• 1 stitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all
2 intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when
3 ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several
4 States within seven years after the date of its submission
5 for ratification:
6 "ARTIGLE-
7 "SECTION I. The rights protected by the Constitution
8 of the United States are the rights of natural persons and
9 do not extend to for-profit corporations, limited liability
10 companies, or othe-rsate entities�establi sr busi-
11 ness purposes or to promote Dusmess m erests under the
12 laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state.
• 13 "SECTION 2. Such corporate and other private enti-
14 ties established under law are subject to regulation by the
15 people through the legislative process so long as such regu-
16 lations are consistent with the powers of Congress and the
17 States and do not limit the freedom of the press.
18 "SECTION 3. Such corporate and other private enti-
19 ties shall be prohibited from making contributions or ex-
20 penditures in any election of any candidate for public of-
21 fice or the vote upon any ballot measure submitted to the
22 people.
23 "SECTION 4. Congress and the States shall have the
24 power to regulate and set limits on all election contribu-
• 25 tions and expenditures, including a candidate's own spend-
• JEN11E13 S.L.C.
3
• 1 ing, and to authorize the establishment of political com-
2 mittees to receive, spend, and publicly disclose the sources
3 of those contributions and expenditures.".
•
•