IA 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. J. RES. 97 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 20, 2011 Mr. Yarmuth (for himself and Mr. Jones) introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary JOINT RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to contributions and expenditures with respect to Federal elections.

That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:  —

1.Financial expenditures, or in kind equivalents, with respect to a candidate for Federal office, without regard to whether or not a communication expressly advocates the election or defeat of a specified candidate in the election, shall not constitute protected speech, as guaranteed by this Constitution or any amendment to this Constitution.

2.Congress shall have the power to enact a mandatory public financing system to provide funds to qualified candidates in elections for Federal office, which shall be the sole source of funds raised or spent with respect to Federal elections.

3.Congress shall set forth a legal public holiday for the purposes of voting in regularly scheduled general elections for Federal office.

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