# 119-hjres-54: 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.

119-hjres-54, 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., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] (D-WA); status introduced (as of 2026-09-23).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hjres-54
- As of: 2026-09-23
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hjres-54
- Congress: 119
- Title: 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.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-02-12
- Sponsor: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] (D-WA)
- Cosponsors: 82
- Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-23

## 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. - 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.

## Cosponsors (82)

- Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7] (D-AZ), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5] (D-GA), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (D-NY), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12] (D-NY), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19] (D-CA), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] (D-GA), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37] (D-TX), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12] (D-MI), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3] (D-IL), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9] (D-NY), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2] (D-RI), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (D-NY), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (D-MA), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] (D-TX), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17] (D-CA), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4] (D-MN), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11] (D-OH), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50] (D-CA), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14] (D-NY), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6] (D-OR), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] (D-CT), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] (D-CA), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28] (D-CA), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52] (D-CA), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10] (D-FL), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] (D-NC), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12] (D-PA), 2025-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4] (D-IL), 2025-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3] (D-AZ), 2025-03-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13] (D-OH), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2] (D-HI), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7] (D-IL), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15] (D-CA), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] (D-MA), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5] (D-MN), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17] (D-PA), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8] (D-MA), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35] (D-TX), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] (D-CA), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1] (D-WA), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6] (D-NJ), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large] (D-VT), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2] (D-CO), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10] (D-CA), 2025-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4] (D-CA), 2025-03-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] (D-MN), 2025-03-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large] (D-DE), 2025-03-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8] (D-VA), 2025-04-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (D-OR), 2025-04-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9] (D-TX), 2025-04-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1] (D-MA), 2025-04-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3] (D-MN), 2025-04-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3] (D-OR), 2025-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14] (D-CA), 2025-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16] (D-NY), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9] (D-OH), 2025-06-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3] (D-NM), 2025-06-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7] (D-AL), 2025-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18] (D-CA), 2025-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2] (D-NH), 2025-08-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4] (D-NC), 2025-09-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7] (D-IN), 2025-09-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2] (D-IL), 2025-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13] (D-NY), 2025-10-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9] (D-MA), 2025-10-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10] (D-NY), 2025-12-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16] (D-CA), 2026-01-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13] (D-MI), 2026-02-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49] (D-CA), 2026-03-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3] (D-MA), 2026-03-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] (D-CA), 2026-05-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] (D-ME), 2026-05-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1] (D-OH), 2026-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39] (D-CA), 2026-06-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1] (D-MO), 2026-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] (D-WA), 2026-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7] (D-AZ), 2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1] (D-NM), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] (D-CA), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4] (D-OR), 2026-09-21T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Keeps freedom of the press intact: benefit, high. 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: benefit, high. 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…
- Tighter limits and sunlight on election money: benefit, high. 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…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-20: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1810: Safe Schools Improvement Act
- 119-hr-14: John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
- 119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act

## Sources
- [119-hjres-54 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-joint-resolution/54)

## Related
- [119-hr-20: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-20)
- [119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1589)
- [119-hr-1810: Safe Schools Improvement Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1810)
- [119-hr-14: John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-14)
- [119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-51)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hjres-54 (as of 2026-09-23).