A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections.

# Summary of SJRES 43: Campaign Finance Amendment **What the Bill Would Do** This proposed constitutional amendment would allow Congress and individual states to set limits on how much money candidates, donors, and organizations can spend to influence elections. Currently, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down most campaign spending limits, ruling that spending money on political speech is protected by the First Amendment. This amendment would override those court decisions by giving the federal and state governments explicit power to regulate election spending.

It would also allow Congress and states to treat corporations and other artificial entities differently from individual citizens when setting these limits—potentially allowing them to restrict corporate political spending more heavily than individual donations. **Who It Affects and Current Status** This amendment would affect candidates, political donors, corporations, political action committees (PACs), and essentially anyone who spends money on elections. Because it's a constitutional amendment, it requires approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures—a high bar. Currently, the bill is in committee and has not advanced further. The amendment addresses ongoing debate about money's role in politics, with supporters arguing it would reduce wealthy donors' influence and opponents contending it could restrict free speech rights.