Senate Judiciary Committee Backs Constitutional Amendment to Restrict Free Speech

The Democratic-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee gave its
stamp of approval today to a proposed constitutional amendment that
would effectively strip the First Amendment of any power to stop
federal and state lawmakers from imposing campaign finance
restrictions. Here’s the text of
S.J. Res. 19, which now moves to the full Senate for a
vote:

“Section 1. To advance the fundamental principle of political
equality for all, and to protect the integrity of the legislative
and electoral processes, Congress shall have power to regulate the
raising and spending of money and in-kind equivalents with respect
to Federal elections, including through setting limits on–

“(1) the amount of contributions to candidates for nomination
for election to, or for election to, Federal office; and

“(2) the amount of funds that may be spent by, in support of,
or in opposition to such candidates.

“Section 2. To advance the fundamental principle of political
equality for all, and to protect the integrity of the legislative
and electoral processes, each State shall have power to regulate
the raising and spending of money and in-kind equivalents with
respect to State elections, including through setting limits
on–

“(1) the amount of contributions to candidates for nomination
for election to, or for election to, State office; and

“(2) the amount of funds that may be spent by, in support of,
or in opposition to such candidates.

“Section 3. Nothing in this article shall be construed to grant
Congress the power to abridge the freedom of the press.

“Section 4. Congress and the States shall have power to
implement and enforce this article by appropriate
legislation.”.