Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set limits on Federal campaign contributions and spending, prohibit corporate spending in the political process, require Congress to develop a system of public campaign financing for all Federal candidates who qualify for the ballot, and allow the States to set reasonable limits on campaign contributions and spending in State and local elections, and for other purposes.

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would take effect only if approved by two-thirds of each house of Congress and ratified by three-fourths of the states. The amendment would cap each person's spending or contributions to influence another person's federal election at $100 per year, and their total federal election spending and contributions at $1,000 per year. It would bar corporations and other legal entities from spending or contributing to influence federal elections. It would require Congress, within 60 days of ratification, to pass laws limiting campaign spending, publicly funding qualified federal candidates at no less than 80% of the spending limit, returning unspent campaign funds to the Treasury, and setting penalties. Members of Congress would not be paid during any period after the first year in which those laws are not in effect, and states could set their own rules on money in state and local elections.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• James P. McGovern Democrat sponsor
• 0 cosponsors