H.J.Res. 48: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the rights extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only.

116th Congress · introduced 2019-02-22 · Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2019-02-22 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the rights extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only.

Plain summary

Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment providing that the rights protected by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only. Artificial entities, such as corporations, shall have no rights under the Constitution and are subject to regulation. The amendment requires federal, state, and local government to (1) regulate, limit, or prohibit election contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures; and (2) require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed. The judiciary is prohibited from construing the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment, and the amendment shall not be construed to abridge the freedom of the press.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the rights extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] · 74 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Betty McCollum (D-MN), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA), Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Alma S. Adams (D-NC), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), William R. Keating (D-MA), Ami Bera (D-CA), Katherine M. Clark (D-MA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Judy Chu (D-CA) and 14 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] reported raising $2.9 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Constitutional amendment: A change to a constitution. In Texas the Legislature proposes an amendment with a joint resolution passed by two-thirds of the members of each chamber. It takes effect only if a majority of the people voting on it approve it. In Florida, an amendment needs at least 60% of the votes cast on it to pass.
Joint resolution: In Texas, the type of measure the Legislature uses to propose a constitutional amendment (marked HJR or SJR). The governor does not sign or veto it; the voters decide. In Congress a joint resolution can also be used like a bill. In Florida, a joint resolution passed by three-fifths of the members of each chamber puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-116hjres48.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/116/hjres>

Record fed-us-cong116-hjres48 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116