How Move to Amend Stands Out from the Crowd
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 (HJR-48) 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.
Proposed Amendments (115th Congress)
- Move to Amend's Amendment Proposal introduced by Rep. Richard Nolan (MN) (We the People Amendment) (HJR-48)
- "Democracy for All" Amendment Proposal
- Tester Amendment Proposal
- McGovern Amendment Proposal
- Shea-Porter Amendment Proposal
- Schiff Amendment Proposal
"Democracy for All" Amendment Proposal
- Introduced on January 24, 2017 in the House of Representatives by Reps. Ted Deutch (FL) and James McGovern (MA) and on January 24, 2017 in the Senate by Sens. Tom Udall (NM), Martin Heinrich (NM), and Michael Bennet (CO)
- Read the text here: H.J. Res. 31 and S.J. Res. 8
- Organizations involved: Public Citizen, People for the American Way, Free Speech for People, Common Cause
What it does:
- Asserts that Congress and the States have authority to regulate and limit the amount for campaign contributions and expenditures. Grants authority to distinguish between natural persons and artificial entities when creating campaign finance legislation.
What’s missing:
- Does not address corporate constitutional rights (corporate personhood)
Tester Amendment Proposal
- Introduced on February 3, 2017 in the Senate by Sen. Jon Tester (MT)
- Read the text here: S.J. Res. 20
- 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.
McGovern Amendment Proposal
- Introduced on March 10, 2017 in the Senate by Sen. James McGovern (MA)
- Read the text here: H.J. Res. 88
- 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.
Shea-Porter Amendment Proposal
- Introduced on March 16, 2017 in the House by Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (NH)
- Read the text here: H.J. Res. 90
What it does:
- Asserts that Congress and the States have authority to regulate campaign spending and expenditures for political activity by corporations.
What's missing:
- Does not address corporate constitutional rights.
- Does not address that money does not = free speech.
Schiff Amendment Proposal
- Introduced on July 20, 2017 in the House by Rep. Adam Schiff (CA)
- Read the text here: H.J. Res. 113
What it does:
- Asserts the authority of Congress and the States to regulate contributions and expenditures in political campaigns and to enact public financing systems for such campaigns.
What's missing:
- Does not address corporate constitutional rights.
- Does not address that money does not = free speech.
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 2015/2016 AMENDMENT PROPOSALS (114th Congress)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ANALYSIS OF 2013/2014 AMENDMENT PROPOSALS (113th Congress)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ANALYSIS OF 2011/2012 AMENDMENT PROPOSALS (112th Congress)
