Bill · H.J.Res. 119· House(119-HJRES-119)
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set limits on Federal campaign contributions and spending, prohibit corporate spending in the political process, require Congress to develop a system of public campaign financing for all Federal candidates who qualify for the ballot, and allow the States to set reasonable limits on campaign contributions and spending in State and local elections, and for other purposes.
- Introduced
- 9/10/2025
- Last activity
- 9/10/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- James McGovern
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution to establish limits on Federal campaign contributions and spending. It seeks to prohibit corporations and other legal entities from spending or contributing to Federal elections. The amendment requires Congress to create a public campaign financing system for all qualifying Federal candidates. Additionally, it empowers States to set reasonable limits on campaign money for State and local elections. Finally, the resolution includes provisions for enforcement through civil and criminal penalties and judicial oversight.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this make elections run better?+8
The bill establishes strict limits on campaign contributions and a public financing system to protect election integrity.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+7
The bill explicitly empowers states to implement and enforce regulations on money in state and local elections.
Does this protect the right to vote?+6
The amendment aims to protect the integrity of the electoral process and promote political equality.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-7
The amendment prohibits corporations and other legal entities from spending or contributing to federal elections.
Would high-income households be better off under this?-6
The bill significantly restricts the ability of wealthy individuals to influence elections through large donations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Political Equality: The amendment aims to advance democratic self-government and political equality by ensuring the right to vote occurs within an electoral process subject to enforceable limits (Section 1).
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Strict Contribution Limits: Individuals are restricted to spending or contributing no more than one hundred dollars to influence any other person's election for specific Federal offices (Section 2).
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Aggregate Spending Caps: The bill limits a person's total aggregate spending or contributions for Federal offices to one thousand dollars (Section 2).
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Prohibition of Corporate Influence: Corporations and other entities created by law are prohibited from spending or contributing any amount to influence Federal elections (Section 3).
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Public Funding for Candidates: Congress is required to provide public funding for all candidates who qualify for any primary, general, or special election ballot, covering at least eighty percent of the amount that may be spent (Section 4).
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State Empowerment: States are given the power to implement and enforce reasonable regulations regarding the raising and spending of money to influence State or local elections (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Campaign Funds: Any campaign funds that are unspent after an election must be given to the Treasury without compensation (Section 4).
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Impact on Congressional Pay: Senators and Representatives may lose their compensation or other emoluments from the United States if the legislation required in section 4 is not in effect (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Electoral Process+8Increase States Rights+7Improves Government Transparency+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Voting Rights+6
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Union Workers+2Good For Business Owners-7Good For High Income Households-6
- 9/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.