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119-hjres-121119th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections.

Sponsored By: Representative Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]

Introduced

Summary

Allows Congress and the States to set limits on money in elections. This proposed constitutional amendment would authorize limits on contributions and spending to influence elections, say its sponsors, to advance democratic self-government and political equality while protecting freedom of the press.

Show full summary
  • Voters and candidates: Would let lawmakers impose reasonable limits on how much candidates and others can raise and spend, which could change how campaigns are funded and supported.
  • Corporations and other entities: Would permit Congress and the States to distinguish natural persons from corporations and other artificial entities and could bar corporate or similar entity spending to influence elections.
  • Lawmakers and implementation: Would vest Congress and the States with power to write and enforce implementing laws, leaving details like enforcement, funding, and timelines to later statutes. The proposal must be approved by two-thirds of both chambers and ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures to become part of the Constitution.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Allow limits on election spending

If ratified, Congress and the states could set reasonable limits on raising and spending money to influence elections. They could write and enforce laws that cover candidates, political committees, people, and groups in federal, state, and local races. Lawmakers could also treat people and corporations differently. They could ban corporations or other artificial entities from spending in elections. The stated goal is to protect self-government, political equality, and election integrity.

Press freedom protected in election rules

If ratified, this amendment would not let Congress or the states limit the freedom of the press. Press rights would remain protected when new election-spending rules are made or enforced. News reporting and media outlets would not face new limits from this amendment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]

PA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]

    MO • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 9/18/2025

  • Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 9/18/2025

  • Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 10/29/2026

  • Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2026

  • Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 4/9/2026

  • Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/23/2026

  • Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

  • Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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