A Montana Democrat introduced a constitutional amendment today that would say “the words people, person, or citizen as used in this Constitution do not include corporations.”
Sen. Jon Tester said his amendment would effectively overturn the “unpopular” 2010 Citizens United decision that protected campaign contributions as free speech.
“Montanans expect real people and their ideas —not corporations and their money—to decide our elections,” Tester said. “The Citizens United decision undermines Montana values and distorts the democratic process. Montanans rejected corporate control of elections a century ago, and I’m proud to join them in standing up for our long-held values.”
Tester even released a video of himself backdropped by the Constitution to push his amendment, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).
Tester has also co-sponsored a constitutional amendment from Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) that authorizes Congress to regulate the raising and spending of money for federal political campaigns.
A constitutional amendment must pass both chambers of Congress by a two-thirds majority before being ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures.
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