Pass a new Constitutional amendment allowing Congress and states to restrict corporations and PACs from spending money to influence elections
The Supreme Court's Citizens United decision held that corporations, unions, and other organizations have a First Amendment right to spend unlimited amounts on political advertising. A proposal would pass a Constitutional amendment to allow Congress to limit such spending.
Arguments For & Against
Pro Argument
Wealthy individuals and corporations are drowning out the voices of ordinary voters. The Founders would be horrified that corporations can spend unlimited sums to influence elections. Congress should have the authority to set reasonable limits on political spending to ensure that elections reflect the will of the people, not the power of money.
Con Argument
The First Amendment protects political speech, including spending on political campaigns. A Constitutional amendment to limit political spending would be an end run around free speech protections and could be used to silence legitimate political voices.
Source document: Campaign-Finance-Quaire-0518-Updated-042820.pdf
| Type | Organization | Date | Nat | Rep | Dem | Gap | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New PPC Survey (2026) | Program for Public Consultation | February 2026 | 82% | 82% | 85% | 3% | favor |
| Deliberative Survey | Program for Public Consultation | August 2017 | 75% | 66% | 85% | 19% | favor |
Program for Public Consultation — February 2026
Passing a new Constitutional amendment that would allow Congress and state legislatures to restrict or prohibit corporations and private political groups (PACs) from spending money to influence elections.
Program for Public Consultation — August 2017
A new Constitutional amendment that would have two parts. It would allow Congress and the states to write campaign finance laws that: May regulate and set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections; Can distinguish between people and corporations or other organizations, thus allowing legislators to restrict or prohibit corporations and other organizations from spending money to influence elections.
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