This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment. The amendment would say that Congress and the states may set reasonable, viewpoint-neutral limits on raising and spending money by candidates and others to influence elections. It would allow Congress and the states to create public campaign financing systems, including programs meant to reduce the influence of private wealth by offsetting private fundraising with public funds. The amendment would let Congress and the states pass and enforce laws to carry out these rules. It also says this amendment should not be read to give Congress or the states power to abridge the freedom of the press.
If adopted, the amendment would let lawmakers at the federal and state level pass new limits on campaign donations and spending. It would also allow creation of public financing programs for political campaigns and could allow bans or limits on spending by corporations or other legal entities. No publicly available information describes exactly which limits or programs would be enacted; those details would come from later laws.
No publicly available information. The amendment text does not include cost estimates or describe how public financing programs would be funded.
The amendment text describes giving Congress and the states clear authority to limit money in elections and to set up public financing systems, including programs “designed to restrict the influence of private wealth by offsetting the raising and spending of money by candidates and others.” Proponents, as reflected by the text, seek to authorize limits on election spending and to enable public funding to reduce private money's influence.
No publicly available information about specific opposing arguments is included in the resolution. The text does include a clause preserving freedom of the press.