Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the rights protected and extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only.
Rep. Jayapal Proposes Constitutional Amendment to End Corporate Personhood and Limit Election Spending
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and is being reviewed by the House Committee on the Judiciary. No further actions are scheduled at this time, and the bill is not moving forward. There is no companion bill listed for this proposal.
Legislative Progress
Constitutional amendments are very difficult to pass because they need a two-thirds vote in Congress and approval from 38 states. This proposal does not have the broad support needed to succeed.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Small businesses structured as corporations or LLCs would lose constitutional protections like due process and equal protection that currently shield them from arbitrary government action. On the other hand, reduced corporate influence in politics could level the playing field between small and large businesses. The net effect is uncertain and would depend heavily on how governments choose to regulate after the amendment is ratified.
“An artificial entity, such as a corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under the Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.”
Activities
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
5 articlesJayapal Reintroduces Amendment to Reverse Citizens United, End Corporate Personhood
Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduced the 'We the People Amendment' to clarify that only human beings have constitutional rights. The proposal targets the root of the Citizens United decision, asserting that corporations are not people and money is not speech, while mandating public disclosure.
With 'Corporations Are Not People,' Jayapal Reintroduces Amendment to Reverse Citizens United
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal led the reintroduction of a constitutional amendment aimed at ending corporate personhood. The 'We the People Amendment' specifies that constitutional protections apply only to natural persons and allows for strict regulation of political campaign spending.
Move to Amend marks 15 years of fighting corporate personhood
As the Move to Amend coalition marks its 15th anniversary, advocates highlight the 'We the People Amendment' introduced by Rep. Jayapal. The amendment would clarify that corporations do not hold constitutional rights and mandates the regulation of political spending to ensure equal access.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the rights protected and extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only.
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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