H.J.Res. 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.

This section proposes a constitutional amendment that would establish a right to vote in elections subject to enforceable limits on campaign contributions and spending, and would require Congress to enact implementing legislation within 60 days after ratification. It would cap individual election-related spending or contributions at $100 per calendar year for the purpose of influencing another person’s election for Representative, Senator, President, or Vice President, and would cap an individual’s aggregate spending or contributions at $1,000 per calendar year for those offices, while authorizing Congress to set lower limits and to adjust the dollar amounts periodically only to reflect changes in the value of money. It would prohibit corporations and other entities created by law from contributing or spending any amount to influence federal elections for Representative, Senator, President, or Vice President, while allowing political parties and candidates’ campaigns to spend amounts prescribed by law. The amendment would direct Congress, within 60 days of ratification, to enact legislation that: (1) limits the amounts candidates, their campaigns, and political parties may spend on campaigns for Representative, Senator, President, or Vice President; (2) provides public funding for all qualified candidates on primary, general, or special election ballots for those offices in any State or the District of Columbia, equal to at least 80% of the amount that may be spent; (3) requires unspent campaign funds to be paid to the Treasury after each election without compensation; and (4) enforces the limits and prohibitions with civil and criminal penalties. For presidential and vice presidential candidates, Congress would determine by law how the public funding amount is apportioned among the States or the District of Columbia where the candidate qualifies. The amendment would further provide that, beginning 1 year after ratification, no Senator or Representative may receive compensation or other emoluments from the United States during any period in office in either chamber in which the required implementing legislation has not been in effect. It would extend federal judicial power to suits brought by U.S. citizens arising under the amendment, including direct enforcement actions. It would also authorize States to implement and enforce reasonable regulations on money raised and spent to influence State and local elections, including the limits and prohibitions in the amendment, while specifying that the amendment does not grant Congress or the States power to abridge freedom of the press.