Schumer, Specter Resolution to Dismantle the First Amendment Introduced

Published on October 18, 2007 05:45 PM

Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) introduced a resolution today (S.J. Res. 21) that would dismantle the First Amendment.

The bill would alter the First Amendment in order to allow for further regulation of political speech by imposing restrictions on campaign spending.   The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld that campaign expenditures are protected by the Constitution.

"This is a radical assault on political participation and free speech," said Bradley Smith, Center for Competitive Politics chairman and former chairman of the Federal Election Commission.   "The proposal makes plain that campaign finance regulations are at odds with the First Amendment."

Schumer and Specter wrote in a letter supporting the legislation that Supreme Court rulings have not allowed regulation of political speech to go far enough.   "We believe that the only way to pass meaningful campaign finance reform is to pass a constitutional amendment that plainly reverses Buckley and its progeny," wrote the Senators. 

The Supreme Court said in Buckley that a "restriction on the amount of money a person or group can spend on political communication during a campaign necessarily reduces the quantity of expression... This is because virtually every means of communicating ideas in today's mass society requires the expenditure of money."

"Apparently, the Senators believe that 'meaningful reform' means the unfettered ability of government to suppress political speech," Smith said.   "Fortunately, I think most Americans will keep their trust in the system of government designed by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton over one designed by Arlen Specter and Chuck Schumer."