The Udall Amendment SJR 19
The Democracy For All Amendment
ACTION NEEDED NOW !!
Please Contact your Texas Senators Today
Senate Vote Monday Sept. 8
Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX] (202) 224-5922
Sen. John Cornyn [R-TX] (202)-224-2934
Our Texas Senators have previously voiced their opposition to SJR 19, but it's important that we still let them know what we want. An overwhelming show of constituent support could have an impact. After calling our Senators use the link BELOW to contact other Senators as well.
List of All U.S. Senators with Contact information
Senate Vote Monday Sept. 8
Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX] (202) 224-5922
Sen. John Cornyn [R-TX] (202)-224-2934
Our Texas Senators have previously voiced their opposition to SJR 19, but it's important that we still let them know what we want. An overwhelming show of constituent support could have an impact. After calling our Senators use the link BELOW to contact other Senators as well.
List of All U.S. Senators with Contact information
Let your community know that they can do something about
the corrupting influence of money in elections
Submit a Letter to the Editor of your newspaper
Before leaving for the August recess, Harry Reid scheduled the vote on SJR 19 for Monday, Sept 8th. Thanks to constituent calls to Senators around the country there are now 50 co-sponsors for the Democracy for All amendment. We've come a long way in an unexpededly short time but we can't rest until we get the amendment we want. We need an amendment to establish that:
MONEY IS NOT SPEECH AND CORPORATIONS DO NOT HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF HUMAN BEINGS.
Here’s the language for SJR 19, proposed Constitutional Amendment:
To advance democratic self-government and political equality, and to protect the integrity of government and the electoral process, Congress and the States may regulate and set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections.
Congress and the States shall have power to implement and enforce this article by appropriate legislation, and may distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to grant Congress or the States the power to abridge the freedom of the press.*
* * * * *
On June 18, in a historic moment for democracy, SJR 19 was voted on for the first time in the US Senate Subcommittee on The Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. The amendment was then passed by the the Senate Judiciary Committee. Now it goes to the full Senate for a vote on Sept 8.
* The national organization Move to Amend feels that this language is not specific enough to thoroughly address the problem of corporate personhood. They have pledged not to support measures that don't end corporate constitutional rights and make explicit that money is not speech. Other National organizations such as Public Citizen, Common Cause, People for the American Way, Wolf-PAC agree that the language is not strong enough but are supporting this resolution because it is a step in the right direction and would be significant change. In addition, as the resolution moves through both houses the language will undergo changes. It is possible that groups like TUTA could help impact these changes in language by contacting US Legislators and letting them know.
To advance democratic self-government and political equality, and to protect the integrity of government and the electoral process, Congress and the States may regulate and set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections.
Congress and the States shall have power to implement and enforce this article by appropriate legislation, and may distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to grant Congress or the States the power to abridge the freedom of the press.*
* * * * *
On June 18, in a historic moment for democracy, SJR 19 was voted on for the first time in the US Senate Subcommittee on The Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. The amendment was then passed by the the Senate Judiciary Committee. Now it goes to the full Senate for a vote on Sept 8.
* The national organization Move to Amend feels that this language is not specific enough to thoroughly address the problem of corporate personhood. They have pledged not to support measures that don't end corporate constitutional rights and make explicit that money is not speech. Other National organizations such as Public Citizen, Common Cause, People for the American Way, Wolf-PAC agree that the language is not strong enough but are supporting this resolution because it is a step in the right direction and would be significant change. In addition, as the resolution moves through both houses the language will undergo changes. It is possible that groups like TUTA could help impact these changes in language by contacting US Legislators and letting them know.
The House Companion HJR 119 Introduced
The House Companion HJR 119 IntroducedJuly 15, Reps. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), Donna Edwards (D-Md.), and Jim McGovern (Mass.) introduced their companion to Sen. Tom Udall's constitutional amendment today. The bill would give Congress the ability to set common sense campaign spending and fundraising limits. The text with the list of 83 original cosponsors can be seen HERE. Expect to hear more about this as it moves through the US House.
* HJR 29 is the preferred amendment by Move to Amend as it more fully addresses the issue of corporate personhood.
* HJR 29 is the preferred amendment by Move to Amend as it more fully addresses the issue of corporate personhood.
