← Back to Bills
H.J.Res. 221House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States giving Congress power to regulate campaign contributions for Federal elections.

Sponsored by Hillary J. ScholtenRep. Hillary J. Scholten (D-MI)
Introduced November 2, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 3, 2026 at 9:19 AM UTC

This joint resolution proposes a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would give Congress explicit authority to set limits and rules on money and in‑kind contributions to candidates for federal office, as well as on spending for political ads. It also extends similar authority to the states for their own elections, bans foreign nationals from contributing, and limits the regulation to content‑neutral measures. If ratified, the amendment would become part of the Constitution and allow Congress to enforce the rules through legislation.

Key Provisions

  • Congress would have the power to prohibit, limit, and regulate contributions and expenditures (including in‑kind donations) for federal elections.
  • The regulation must apply equally to all individual U.S. citizens and to all citizen associations.
  • Each state would receive the same authority to regulate contributions and expenditures for state elections, with equal treatment of state citizens and citizen groups.
  • Foreign nationals, foreign governments, and their agents would be barred from contributing or spending to influence U.S. elections.
  • The amendment limits Congress’s power to content‑neutral regulation of political contributions and expenditures.
  • Congress is granted the authority to enforce the amendment through appropriate legislation.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

November 2, 2026

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 2, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

November 2, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode
Latest
Raw Text PDF XML
Introduced in HouseIssued November 2, 2026

IA

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. J. RES. 221

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 2, 2026

Ms. Scholten submitted 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 giving Congress power to regulate campaign contributions for 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.

The Congress shall have power to prohibit, limit, and otherwise regulate the contribution of funds or donation of in-kind equivalents to candidates standing for election to a Federal office in the United States and to prohibit, limit, and otherwise regulate the expenditure of funds or donation of in-kind equivalents used to support or purchase media advertisements intended to influence the outcome of an election for Federal office in the United States.

Whenever Congress should exercise such power, it must apply equally and uniformly to all individual persons recognized as citizens of the United States.

Whenever Congress should exercise such power on associations of citizens of the United States, it must apply equally and uniformly to all associations of citizens of the United States.

2.

Each of the several States shall have power to prohibit, limit, and otherwise regulate the contribution of funds or donation of in-kind equivalents to candidates standing for election to public office in the State and to prohibit, limit, and otherwise regulate expenditure of funds or donation of in-kind equivalents used to support or purchase media advertisements intended to influence the outcome of an election for public office or plebiscite in the State.

Whenever a State should exercise such power, it must apply equally and uniformly to all individual persons recognized as citizens of the State.

Whenever a State should exercise such power on associations of citizens of the State, it must apply equally and uniformly to all associations of citizens of the State.

3.

A person who is not a citizen of the United States, including an association of persons who are not citizens of the United States, a foreign government, or any person acting as an agent thereof, may not contribute funds or donate in-kind equivalents to candidates standing for election to public office in the United States or otherwise expend funds or donate in-kind equivalents in a manner intended to influence the outcome of an election for public office or plebiscite in the United States.

4.

The powers provided by this article are limited to the content neutral regulation of political contributions and political expenditures.

5.

Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

.