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HJRES 78 118th Congress House Government Operations and Politics

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…

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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: June 22, 2023 Introduced by: McGovern, James P. Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 22, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 22, 2023
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment regarding federal campaign contributions and spending.

Specifically, the amendment

  • declares that the right of U.S. citizens to vote in elections in which campaign contributions and spending are subject to enforceable limits (as set forth in the amendment) shall not be abridged,
  • sets forth limits on federal campaign contributions and spending, and
  • prohibits corporations (or other entities created by law) from contributing or spending money for the purpose of influencing federal elections.

Not later than 60 days after ratification of the amendment, Congress shall enact legislation to

  • limit the amounts that candidates, their campaigns for federal office, and political parties may spend on such candidacies;
  • provide public funding for all federal candidates who qualify for the ballot;
  • require disposition to the Treasury of any unspent campaign funds after each election, without compensation; and
  • enforce, with civil and criminal penalties, the limits and prohibitions of the amendment.

States shall have the power to implement and enforce reasonable regulations on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence state or local elections.

What's happening now June 22, 2023

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 78: 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.. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HJRES-78/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 78: 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.." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HJRES-78/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 78, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HJRES-78/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 78: 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.](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HJRES-78/)
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