Summary of HJRES 122
Bill Information:
- Bill Number: HJRES 122
- Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the authority of Congress and the States to regulate contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections and to enact public financing systems for political campaigns.
- Status: Introduced in House
- Introduced: September 17, 2025
- Classification: Resolution
Purpose and Intent
HJRES 122 aims to amend the United States Constitution to clarify and enhance the authority of Congress and state governments in regulating campaign finance. The primary intent is to allow for reasonable, viewpoint-neutral limitations on the raising and spending of money by candidates and other entities that seek to influence elections. This amendment seeks to address concerns over the influence of money in politics and promote fairer electoral processes.
Key Provisions
The proposed amendment includes the following key provision:
- Regulation of Campaign Contributions and Expenditures:
- Congress and the States are empowered to regulate and impose reasonable limitations on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections.
- The regulations must be viewpoint-neutral, ensuring that they do not favor one political perspective over another.
Who Would Be Affected
The amendment would impact a wide range of stakeholders, including:
- Political Candidates: Individuals running for office would be subject to new regulations regarding their campaign financing.
- Political Parties and Organizations: Entities that contribute to or support candidates would need to adhere to the new limitations on contributions and expenditures.
- Voters and the General Public: The amendment aims to create a more equitable electoral environment, potentially increasing public trust in the electoral process.
Legislative Actions
- September 17, 2025: HJRES 122 was introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.
Sponsors
The resolution is primarily sponsored by Joe Neguse and has numerous cosponsors, including notable representatives such as:
- Lloyd Doggett
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- Jimmy Gomez
- Eleanor Holmes Norton
- Rashida Tlaib
This broad support indicates a significant interest in reforming campaign finance laws.
Related Bills
HJRES 122 has a companion bill, SJRES 78, which may address similar issues regarding campaign finance and electoral integrity.
Conclusion
HJRES 122 represents a significant effort to amend the Constitution concerning campaign finance regulation. By empowering Congress and the States to impose reasonable limitations on monetary contributions and expenditures, the bill seeks to foster a more equitable electoral process. The resolution is currently under consideration in the House, and its progress will be closely monitored by stakeholders in the political and electoral landscape.
