Senate Republicans unanimously rejected a proposed constitutional amendment Thursday afternoon that would have restricted political speech.
The amendment was designed by Democrats as a way to allow Congress would authorize Congress and the states to regulate and limit fundraising and spending on federal candidates. It would also prevent the Supreme Court from reversing any future campaign finance legislation passed by Congress. Republicans argued that the vague language in the proposed amendment was a way to actually control speech.
The measure failed to clear a 60-vote threshold, falling short with 54 votes to 42.
“The proposed amendment would restrict the most important speech the First Amendment protects, core political speech,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said Wednesday as quoted by Politico. “It’s hard to imagine what would be more radical than the Congress passing a constitutional amendment to overturn a dozen Supreme Court decisions that have protected individual rights. Free speech would be dramatically curtailed.”
Sen. Harry Reid quickly turned Thursday’s failed vote into an attack on Republicans and his favorite topic, the Koch brothers.
“Senate Democrats want a government that works for all Americans — not just the richest few,” Reid said after the vote, Politico reported. “Today, Senate Republicans clearly showed that they would rather sideline hardworking families in order to protect the Koch brothers and other radical interests that are working to fix our elections and buy our democracy.”
