While it is exciting to see the flurry of momentum and energy that is finally getting some traction in a small segment of Congress, Move to Amend is very clear that it is important that we not let our goals be diluted by our legislators in Washington, even by those who mean well and want to see reform in our political system.

Passing an amendment will be a tough job, so the language must be commensurate with the effort needed to win, and the amendment must be strong and clear enough to end corporate rule - there's no room here for half solutions or ambiguity.

It is our belief that we need to operate on the assumption that once an Amendment comes out of Congress we won't get another shot. So we MUST get it right!

With many competing proposals, it can be confusing to figure out what is what in terms of what the proposals will actually do. We have prepared a summary of each of the amendments proposed, including what is missing from each one.

We also encourage you to check out our article, Why Abolish All Corporate Constitutional Rights, to explain why we feel so strongly that half-way solutions cannot be accepted.

Click here to read Move to Amend's proposed amendment that will clearly establish that money is not speech, corporations are not people, and allows for no loopholes. Our amendment will put people in charge of our government, and corporations in their proper place.

The Proposed Amendments (to date)

• Move to Amend's Amendment Proposal introduced by Rep. Richard Nolan (MN) (We the People Amendment) 
• Schiff Amendment Proposal
• Edwards Amendment Proposal
• Baucus Amendment Proposal
• McGovern / Tester Amendment Proposals
• Udall Amendment Proposal
• Sanders/Deutch Amendment Proposal

Schiff Amendment Proposal

• Introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff on February 14, 2013
• Read the text here: H.J.Res. 31
• Organizations involved: ?

What it does:

• Reverses the Citizens United decision: affirms the power of Congress and the States to regulate contribution of funds to candidates and the expenditure of funds intended to influence the outcome of elections; gives Congress and States authority to institute publicly funded elections.

What’s missing:

• Does not address corporate constitutional rights (corporate personhood)

Edwards Amendment Proposal

• Introduced by Rep. Donna Edwards on February 6, 2013
• Read the text here: H.J.Res. 25
• Organizations involved: ?

What it does:

• Clarifies the authority of Congress and the States to regulate the expenditure of funds for political activity by corporations.

What’s missing:

• Does not address corporate constitutional rights (corporate personhood)
• Does not address the Supreme Court doctrine of money = free speech. Leaves the door wide open to wealthy individuals continuing to bankroll elections.

Baucus Amendment Proposal

• Introduced by Sen. Max Baucus on February 6, 2013
• Read the text here: S.J.Res. 5
• Organizations involved: ?

What it does:

• Affirms the power of Congress and the States to regulate contribution of funds by corporations, "for-profit entities" and unions to candidates to influence the outcome of elections.

What’s missing:

• Does not address corporate constitutional rights (corporate personhood)
• Does not address the Supreme Court doctrine of money = free speech. Leaves the door wide open to wealthy individuals continuing to bankroll elections.
• Does not affect non-profit entities such as 501c4s, PACs, and 527 organizations.

McGovern / Tester Amendment Proposals

• Read the text here: H.J. Res. 21 (House, introduced by McGovern) / S.J. Res 18 (Senate, introduced by Tester)
• Organizations involved: Free Speech for People

What it does:

• Asserts that corporations are not people

What’s missing:

• Does not address that money does not = free speech or address campaign spending.

Udall Amendment Proposal

• Introduced by Senator Tom Udall (NM) in the Senate on June 18, 2013
• Read the text here: S.B.19
• Organizations involved: Public Citizen, Free Speech for People, Common Cause

What it does:

• Asserts that Congress and the States have authority to limit the amount for campaign contributions and expenditures.

What’s missing:

• Does not address corporate constitutional rights (corporate personhood)
• Does not explicitly state that money does not = free speech, implies it but interpretation will be open to judiciary.

Sanders/Deutch Amendment Proposal

• Introduced by Rep. Ted Deutch on March 12, 2013 in the House (H.J. 34) and Sen. Bernie Sanders on March 13, 2013 in the Senate (S.J. 11)
• Organizations involved: Public Citizen

What it does:

• Asserts that only natural persons can make contributions and expenditures to influence the outcome of public elections.
• Gives Congress the authority to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures and to institute disclosure requirements.

What’s missing:

• Does not address corporate constitutional rights (corporate personhood)

Click here to read Move to Amend's proposed amendment that will clearly establish that money is not speech, a corporation is not a person, all corporations are subject to regulation, all campaign contributions will be disclosed and allows for no loopholes. Our amendment will put people in charge of our government, and corporations in their proper place.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ANALYSIS OF 2011/2012 AMENDMENT PROPOSALS (112th Congress)