Bills
| 3.23.22

Amending the U.S. Constitution: Congressional Regulation of the Raising and Spending of Money in Federal Elections (Senate) (S. Joint Res. 19)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is S. Joint Res. 19?

(Updated July 18, 2017)

This joint resolution, proposed by Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) would amend the United States Constitution and give Congress the authority to "regulate the raising and spending of money" in federal elections, and grant the same authority to states. The resolution includes an amendment stating that Congress would not "abridge the freedom of the press." 


In order to be enacted, the resolution would require approval by both the Senate and the House; however, since this resolution proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, it does not require approval of the President, as non-Constituion specific joint resolutions do. While the bill sets "limits," it does not say what those limits would be. 

Argument in favor

Big money's grip on elections is so tight that America is no longer a democracy. It takes a solution as big as a constitutional amendment to solve a problem this broad and deep.

Argument opposed

Restricts First Amendment right to free speech. Too narrowly focused on elections. Fails to address advocacy spending. Insulates establishment culture in Washington.

Impact

The bill affects the regulation of raising and spending money in elections. If enacted, the joint resolution might decrease the influence of corporate and special interest money involved in the election process.

Cost of S. Joint Res. 19

A CBO cost estimate is not available.

Additional Info

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