IIA 

112TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. J. RES. 33 

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to expressly 

exclude for-profit corporations from the rights given to natural persons 

by the Constitution of the United States, prohibit corporate spending 

in all elections, and affirm the authority of Congress and the States 

to regulate corporations and to regulate and set limits on all election 

contributions and expenditures. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 8, 2011 

Mr. SANDERS (for himself and Mr. BEGICH) introduced the following joint 

resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the 

Judiciary 

JOINT RESOLUTION 

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United 

States to expressly exclude for-profit corporations from 

the rights given to natural persons by the Constitution 

of the United States, prohibit corporate spending in all 

elections, and affirm the authority of Congress and the 

States to regulate corporations and to regulate and set 

limits on all election contributions and expenditures. 

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two3 thirds of each House concurring therein), That the fol4 lowing article is proposed as an amendment to the ConVerDate Mar 15 2010 03:00 Dec 09, 2011 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SJ33.IS SJ33

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•SJ 33 IS 

1 stitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all 

2 intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when 

3 ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several 

4 States within seven years after the date of its submission 

5 for ratification: 

6 ‘‘ARTICLE— 

7 ‘‘SECTION 1. The rights protected by the Constitution 

8 of the United States are the rights of natural persons and 

9 do not extend to for-profit corporations, limited liability 

10 companies, or other private entities established for busi11 ness purposes or to promote business interests under the 

12 laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state. 

13 ‘‘SECTION 2. Such corporate and other private enti14 ties established under law are subject to regulation by the 

15 people through the legislative process so long as such regu16 lations are consistent with the powers of Congress and the 

17 States and do not limit the freedom of the press. 

18 ‘‘SECTION 3. Such corporate and other private enti19 ties shall be prohibited from making contributions or ex20 penditures in any election of any candidate for public of21 fice or the vote upon any ballot measure submitted to the 

22 people. 

23 ‘‘SECTION 4. Congress and the States shall have the 

24 power to regulate and set limits on all election contribu25 tions and expenditures, including a candidate’s own spendVerDate Mar 15 2010 03:00 Dec 09, 2011 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SJ33.IS SJ33

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1 ing, and to authorize the establishment of political com2 mittees to receive, spend, and publicly disclose the sources 

3 of those contributions and expenditures.’’. 

Æ 


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