Citizens Over Corps Amend
---
CO SPONSOR SHAHEEN HAS SEP CONST AMEND DFA?
DUCK Search Assist
The "Citizens Over Corporations Act" is a proposed legislation aimed at reducing the influence of corporate money in politics, particularly in response to the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which allowed unlimited corporate spending in elections. This act seeks to prioritize the rights of individual citizens over corporate interests in the political process.[ Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC)
americanprogress.org
Overview of the Citizens Over Corporations Act
The Citizens Over Corporations Act is a proposed legislative initiative aimed at addressing the influence of corporate money in politics, particularly in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. This act seeks to redefine the powers granted to corporations by state laws, effectively limiting their ability to spend money on political campaigns.
Key Features
Corporate Powers Redefined
- State Authority: The act emphasizes that states have the authority to define and limit the powers of corporations. This includes the ability to revoke the power of corporations to engage in political spending.
- Montana Plan: A notable example is the Montana Plan, which proposes that Montana will no longer grant corporations the power to spend money in politics. This would also affect out-of-state corporations operating within Montana.
Legislative Strategy
- State-Level Action: The act encourages state legislatures to take action rather than relying solely on federal amendments or Supreme Court decisions. It aims to empower states to reclaim their authority over corporate charters.
- Public Support: The initiative seeks to build public awareness and support for reducing corporate influence in elections, promoting a more democratic political process.
Implications
The Citizens Over Corporations Act represents a significant shift in how corporate influence is viewed in the political landscape. By focusing on state authority, it aims to create a framework that could potentially lead to a reduction in corporate and dark money in politics, making the Citizens United decision less relevant.
americanprogress.org[
Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC)
---
ggl 10 25
AI Overview
The "Citizens Over Corporations Amendment" is a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at overturning the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FEC decision and limiting corporate influence in politics. It seeks to establish that only natural persons, not corporations, have rights under the Constitution, which would allow Congress and states to regulate or limit corporate political spending in elections. Key goals include preventing unlimited corporate spending, ensuring transparency, and restoring power to the people.
Core components and goals
The amendment would clarify that corporations are artificial entities created by law and should not be granted constitutional rights, particularly those related to political spending.
It would restore the authority of Congress and states to set reasonable limits on independent expenditures by corporations and other artificial entities in elections.
The amendment is designed to curb the influence of corporate money in politics and reduce "dark money" spending in elections.
It would explicitly state that such regulations would not abridge the freedom of the press.
It would also allow for public financing of campaigns as a way to reduce the influence of big money.
Background
- The amendment is a response to the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United v. FEC decision, which ruled that the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting independent political spending by corporations and unions.
- Supporters of the amendment argue that the Citizens United ruling has led to a flood of corporate money into elections, distorting the democratic process.
- Several members of Congress have introduced various versions of this amendment in recent years, with some gaining co-sponsors from both the House and Senate.
---
ntbcw coca
march 2025
03.27.2025
Shaheen Renews Push to Overturn Citizens United Ruling, Rid American Elections of Dark Money and Excessive Corporate Campaign Spending
(Washington, DC) – On the anniversary of the bipartisan McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act becoming law in 2002, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) reintroduced a Constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision, which removed campaign finance restrictions and enabled entities to spend unlimited money to influence elections. The Shaheen-led Democracy for All Amendment would also overturn other far-reaching decisions around campaign finance that wrongfully equated money with free speech and unfairly determined that big, wealthy corporations have the same First Amendment rights as people.
“Extreme, misguided court rulings like Citizens United have flooded our elections with dark money and special interests that drown out the voices of our citizens,” said Shaheen. “The promise that we are a government ‘of the people, by the people, for the people’ is a core tenet of our democracy that all Americans—regardless of political affiliation—hold dear. I’m reintroducing this Constitutional amendment to overturn the disastrous Citizens United decision and return the power to the American people in our elections.”
The Democracy for All Amendment would empower Congress and states to set reasonable campaign finance rules and limit corporate spending. The amendment would enshrine in the Constitution the right of the American people to regulate the raising and spending of funds in public elections and curb the concentration of political influence held by the wealthiest Americans.
Along with Shaheen, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Coons (D-DE), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Mark Warner (D-VA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) are also cosponsors of the Democracy for All Amendment.
Shaheen has led the Democracy for All Amendment for years and has long supported Congressional action to protect election integrity in our country. Last year, Shaheen called on the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to clarify whether grant funds from the Help America Vote Act can be used to make local elections more accessible to voters with disabilities. In 2022, Shaheen helped introduce and pass two proposals that include legislation to reform and modernize the outdated Electoral Count Act of 1887 to ensure that the electoral votes tallied by Congress accurately reflect each state’s vote for President. In 2021, Shaheen helped reintroduce the DISCLOSE Act, legislation that would require organizations spending money in federal elections to disclose their donors and help guard against hidden foreign influence in our democracy.
---
very long diff aspects no cut paste?
the-corporate-power-reset-that-makes-citizens-united-irrelevant
SEPT 17 VID LCV? DAN GOLDMAN? INTRO BY Tall robert pelosi
NEWS: Sen. Schiff, Reps. Neguse, McGovern, and Lee Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United
*On Constitution Day, lawmakers resume push to ensure Congress and states can set reasonable limitations on political spending and influence by corporations on U.S. elections
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse (D-Colo.-02), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.-02), and Summer Lee (D-Pa.-12) introduced the Citizens Over Corporations Amendment, a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would overturn Citizens United v. FECand limit corporate influence and spending in American politics.
“The Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United opened the door for corporations to pour billions of dollars of dark money into elections. This anonymous and unrestricted spending cripples transparency in the political process and weakens our democracy. Our amendment will keep big money out of politics and restore power where it should belong — with the American people,” said Senator Schiff.
“The time to confront political corruption and clean up government is now,” said Congressman Neguse.“The Citizens Over Corporations Amendment works to renew people’s faith in our democracy by ensuring transparency through campaign finance reform and preventing unrestrained spending and dark money in elections.”
“Elon Musk poured millions into electing Donald Trump and then used the influence he bought to fire federal workers, dismantle USAID, and strip health care from millions,” said Congressman McGovern. “Citizens United gives billionaires like Musk even more power to rig the system for the well-off and well-connected. That’s not a democracy—it’s an auction. I’m proud to support the Citizens Over Corporations Amendment, which will overturn Citizens United, get big money out of politics, and put power back where it belongs—in the hands of the people.”
“Some say the beginning of the collapse of our democracy was when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Citizens United, giving the green light to corporations and billionaires to pour hundreds of millions into our elections and drown out the voices of everyday people. At the root of why we cannot make progress on so many urgent policies is a system where money speaks louder than people. The Citizens Over Corporations Amendment is about changing that. It is about putting power back where it belongs, with the people, so we can build a government that works for all of us, not just the wealthy few and their corporate interests,”said Congresswoman Lee.
Senator Schiff has introduced his constitutional amendment in the U.S. House of Representatives to overturn Citizens Unitedsince 2013 and has been a strong proponent of fixing America’s broken campaign finance system since he was first elected in 2000, after a race that was at the time the most expensive in the history of the House of Representatives. The first bill he cosponsored in Congress was the bipartisan McCain-Feingold Act to regulate the financing of political campaigns, which was later passed and signed into law.
The proposed Constitutional amendment will:
- Make clear the Constitution does not restrict the ability of Congress or states to set reasonable, viewpoint-neutral limitations on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections
- Distinguishes between natural persons, corporations, or other artificial entities, including by allowing Congress or the State to prohibit such entities from spending money to influence elections
- Allow public financing of campaigns when states choose to enact such laws, which can restrict the influence of corporate or private wealth
- Take further steps to protect the freedom of the press in the case of future campaign finance-related legislation
Earlier today, Senator Schiff and lawmakers rallied for Constitution Day to underscore the need to protect our democracy and curb influence by special interests on American politics. At the rally, Schiff highlighted his proposed amendment reversing the 2010 Supreme Court ruling that ended restrictions on corporate campaign spending, eliminating decades of legal precedent.
The Senator’s full remarks at the rally can be viewed
.Schiff’s remarks can be downloaded here. VID]
The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H), Angus King (I-Maine), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
The bill is endorsed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Democracy Defenders Action, Public Citizen, End Citizens United, People for the American Way, Common Cause, and Free Speech For People.
“Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v FEC 15 years ago, unlimited and untraceable money has flowed from the pockets of corporations and the ultra-wealthy into political campaigns”,said Stuart McPhail, Director of Campaign Finance Litigation, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). “In the 2024 federal election cycle alone, over $2.7 billion was funneled through super PACs to various political campaigns. This dark money corrodes our democracy by allowing corporations and billionaires to hide their identities while greatly influencing elections and policy. CREW is proud to endorse the constitutional amendment introduced by Senator Schiff and Representatives Neguse, McGovern, and Lee to overturn Citizens United and ensure that the voices of average citizens are not drowned out by moneyed interests.”
“Democracy Defenders Action wholeheartedly endorses Sen. Adam Schiff and Reps. Joe Neguse, Jim McGovern, and Summer Lee’s constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United,” said Virginia Canter, Ethics and Anticorruption Chief Counsel and Director, Democracy Defenders Action. “This crucial step will ensure that all Americans, not just the super-rich and corporations, have an equal voice in our elections–and true representation in our democracy.”
“Citizens United has turned our democracy into a government that serves the ultra-wealthy. Political spending by billionaires has surged an astonishing 160-fold since the 2010 Supreme Court decision, and working families are paying the price like never before as self-enriching politicians bankroll tax breaks for their biggest donors. Senator Schiff’s amendment is a bold and commonsense step to reclaim government for the people. We applaud his leadership to challenge the billionaire class, fight corruption in Washington, and get Big Money out of politics,” said Tiffany Muller, President, End Citizens United.
“Citizens United destroyed our nation’s safeguards against the undue influence of money in politics. For 15 years now, dark money has flowed freely, allowing the rich and powerful even more influence over our elections. This amendment is essential to preventing that continuing assault on the integrity of our elections. People For the American Way is proud to support this amendment as we work toward building a democracy truly of, by, and for the people,” said Svante Myrick, President, People For the American Way.
“The vast majority of Americans want the real voices of real people to matter more than the money that corporations and the super-rich funnel into our political system. The devastating Citizens United decision 15 years ago dramatically altered the landscape of our politics—unleashing a flood of cash and deepening the outrage that regular people feel at the inequities baked into our democracy. We must overturn this decision. Senator Schiff, and Reps. Joe Neguse, Jim McGovern, and Summer Lee have remained focused and continue pushing for a constitutional amendment to do just that. Public Citizen strongly supports their efforts,” said Lisa Gilbert, Co-President, Public Citizen.
A fact sheet on the legislation can be foundhere.
Full text of the bill is availablehere.
---
BEWARE BS FRANKLIN CTR
The Center Square was launched in 2019 to fulfill the need for high-quality statehouse and statewide news across the United States.
The focus of our work is federal, state and local government accountability and economic reporting. A taxpayer sensibility distinguishes our work from other coverage of federal, state and local issues. As a result of this approach, our readers are better informed about the focus of government and its cost to the citizens whose tax dollars fund governmental decisions.
The Center Square is staffed by editors and reporters with extensive professional journalism experience. We engage readers with essential news, data and analysis – delivered with velocity, frequency and consistency.
We distribute our journalism through three main channels at no cost to our partners or readers: a newswire service to legacy publishers and broadcasters, TheCenterSquare.com and syndicated platforms, and social media.
The Center Square is a project of the 501(c)(3) Franklin News Foundation, headquartered in Chicago.
We welcome our readers to share their insights, feedback and news tips at info_tcs@thecentersquare.com.
Lawmakers propose amendment to overturn Citizens United | National | thecentersquare.com
(The Center Square) – Democratic lawmakers in four states have proposed a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
That 2010 ruling allowed corporations, unions and special interest groups to spend unlimited money on political communications, as long as the spending is independent from a candidate’s campaign. Prior to that, such funding was limited.
U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colorado, announced his support for the amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Neguse joined other U.S. House Democrats in proposing the bill "Citizens Over Corporations Amendment."
Supporters of the amendment, which also includes lawmakers in California, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, argue the Supreme Court’s decision “unleashed a flood of political corruption.”
“I’m teaming up ... to introduce a constitutional amendment that would overturn this disastrous ruling and get dark money out of our government,” Neguse said.
The bill's sponsors also include U.S. Reps. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts and Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, both Democrats.
U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, proposed the Senate version of the bill.
“The Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United opened the door for corporations to pour billions of dollars of dark money into elections,” Schiff said. “This anonymous and unrestricted spending cripples transparency in the political process and weakens our democracy. Our amendment will keep big money out of politics and restore power where it should belong — with the American people.”
The amendment would, among other things:
• Allow Congress and states to set limits on the raising and spending of campaign finances.
• Allow public (i.e. government) financing of campaigns.
The bill is endorsed by a number of groups, including End Citizens United, which has labeled the Supreme Court’s decision “disastrous.”
“Citizens United has turned our democracy into a government that serves the ultra-wealthy,” said ECU Action Fund President Tiffany Muller. “Political spending by billionaires has surged an astonishing 160-fold since the 2010 Supreme Court decision, and working families are paying the price like never before as self-enriching politicians bankroll tax breaks for their biggest donors.”
This is not the first time an amendment overturning Citizens United has been proposed. Since the Supreme Court’s decision in 2010, multiple proposed constitutional amendments have been introduced. While support for those is generally from Democrats, Republicans have occasionally backed the bills.
In general, it is very difficult to successfully pass a constitutional amendment out of Congress, as it requires a two-thirds majority of both the Senate and House. Once it is passed by Congress, it still must be ratified by 38 of the 50 states. An amendment has not done that successfully since 1992 when the 27th Amendment, regulating congressional salaries, was enacted.
Elyse Apel is a reporter for The Center Square covering Colorado and Michigan. A graduate of Hillsdale College, Elyse’s writing has been published in a wide variety of national publications from the Washington Examiner to The American Spectator and The Daily Wire.
-===
CONTEXT LEAHY JUD COMM
IX. Minority Views of Senators Grassley, Hatch, Sessions, Graham,
Cornyn, Lee, Cruz, and Flake....................................33
VERY LONG CItES abrams
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
RELATING TO CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES INTENDED TO AFFECT ELECTION
July 30, 2014.--Ordered to be printed
Mr. Leahy, from the Committee on the Judiciary,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
together with
MINORITY VIEWS
[To accompany S.J. Res. 19]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on the Judiciary, to which was referred the
joint resolution (S.J. Res. 19), proposing an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States relating to contributions and
expenditures intended to affect elections, having considered
the same, reports favorably thereon, with an amendment, and
recommends that the joint resolution, as amended, do pass.