LRB-5866/1
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2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
2023 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTIO N 121
February 19, 2024 - Introduced by Senators COWLES, WIMBERGER, CABRAL-GUEVARA
and WANGGAARD, cosponsored by Representatives ROZAR, MACCO, STEFFEN,
O'CONNOR, SCHMIDT, MAXEY, DOYLE, GOEBEN and JOERS. Referred to Committee
on Senate Organization.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
Relating to: urging support for a constitutional amendment to provide states with
authority to regulate campaign financing.
Whereas, the residents of Wisconsin have a compelling interest in fostering
robust political debate, freedom of speech, and self-government, in securing the
liberty and political equality of our citizens, in guarding against corruption, and in
advancing federalism and the interests of the states; and
Whereas, over the past few decades, the Supreme Court has gradually come to
equate election spending with “free speech,” and this spending has the potential to
drown out speech rights for all citizens, narrow debate, weaken federalism and
self-governance in the states, and increase the risk of systemic corruption; and
Whereas, the states and U.S. Congress should have the ability to enact
reasonable regulations regarding this spending; and
Whereas, the framers wisely granted the states ultimate power to amend our
Constitution where necessary to make it and our union ever more perfect and to
protect and preserve self-government and liberty; now, therefore, be it
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LRB-5866/1
RJL:amn
2023 - 2024 Legislature
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin
Legislature, on behalf of the people of Wisconsin, declares its support for a
constitutional amendment to clarify that states may regulate the spending of money
to influence federal elections, and that in doing so, the states and Congress may
distinguish between natural persons and legally recognized entities such as
corporations, unions, and government authorities; and, be it further
Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and submitted
to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the U.S.
Senate, the Minority Leader of the U.S. Senate, and each member of the Wisconsin
congressional delegation.
(END)
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