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119-hjres-54119th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the rights protected and extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only.

Sponsored By: Representative Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

Introduced

Summary

This amendment would make constitutional rights belong only to natural persons. It would also let governments limit and require disclosure of political contributions and spending to curb money-driven influence in elections.

Show full summary
  • Voters and families would gain stronger tools to prevent wealthy people or groups from having substantially more ability to influence elections. Regulations and limits on contributions and expenditures would aim to equalize access to the political process.
  • Corporations, limited liability companies, and other artificial entities would have no constitutional rights. Their privileges would be set and limited by federal, state, or local law as determined by the people.
  • Federal, state, and local governments could regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate’s own spending. The amendment would require public disclosure of permissible spending and say courts may not treat money spent to influence elections as First Amendment speech.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Keeps freedom of the press intact

If enacted, the amendment would not be read to limit freedom of the press. News organizations would keep their First Amendment protections, even with the other changes.

Rights only for people, not corporations

If enacted, the Constitution would protect rights for natural persons only. Corporations, LLCs, and other created entities would not have constitutional rights. Federal, state, and local laws would decide any privileges for those entities, which would not be inherent or inalienable. Those entities would be subject to regulation by the People through normal laws.

Tighter limits and sunlight on election money

If enacted, governments would be required to set limits or bans on campaign donations and spending, including a candidate’s own money. Rules would aim to stop money from buying more access or influence in elections. Any allowed contributions and spending would have to be publicly disclosed. Courts would not be able to treat election spending as First Amendment speech.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

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

    GA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

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

    DC • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

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

    OH • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

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

    PA • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

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

    VT • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 4/9/2025

  • Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/9/2025

  • Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 4/9/2025

  • Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2025

  • Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2025

  • Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/4/2025

  • Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/4/2025

  • Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 6/24/2025

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

    NM • D

    Sponsored 6/24/2025

  • Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

    AL • D

    Sponsored 7/14/2025

  • Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/14/2025

  • Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 8/15/2025

  • Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2025

  • Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/24/2025

  • Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 10/24/2025

  • Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/20/2026

  • Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/16/2026

  • Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/27/2026

  • Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 5/21/2026

  • Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/23/2026

  • Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

    MO • D

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

  • Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 8/24/2026

  • Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 8/31/2026

  • Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/31/2026

  • Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 9/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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