Texas House Bill HCR25

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Urging Congress to propose and submit to the states for ratification an amendment to the United States Constitution for the purpose of addressing concerns raised by the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

Impact

If adopted, HCR25 would represent a significant step toward altering the framework for campaign finance laws at the federal level. It seeks to initiate a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, a process which requires two-thirds of state legislatures to apply for such a convention. The proposed amendments would directly address the insights and concerns raised by the Citizens United ruling, potentially empowering states to regulate political spending more stringently in an effort to reclaim the electoral process from what supporters describe as undue corporate influence.

Summary

HCR25 is a House Concurrent Resolution from Texas urging Congress to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution in response to the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010). This landmark ruling effectively lifted restrictions on corporate and union spending in elections, leading to concerns about the overwhelming influence of money in politics. The resolution reflects a growing sentiment among certain state legislatures to encourage federal action to mitigate these influences and restore a more balanced political landscape where the voices of individual citizens can be heard more clearly compared to those of corporations and wealthy individuals.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR25 is one of advocacy for reforming campaign finance. Proponents appreciate the resolution as a proactive measure aimed at ensuring that political discourse remains accessible and reflective of the general populace rather than dominated by wealthier entities. Conversely, opponents of such approaches often express skepticism about the effectiveness of a constitutional amendment in achieving intended reforms and point out the complexities involved in mobilizing sufficient state legislatures to support a convention.

Contention

Debate regarding HCR25 may center on the feasibility of pursuing a constitutional convention and the potential implications of initiating amendments to the Constitution. Critics may argue that bridging the gap between state-level applications and Congress's call for a convention could be fraught with pitfalls, including unintended consequences. Moreover, there exist concerns around the scope of amendments put forth, ensuring that they retain a focused purpose intended to address political spending influences without opening the Constitution to broader and less predictable changes.