Proposal history / Constitutional rights & elections
Eight introductions.
Seven Congresses.
The We the People Amendment, from 2013 to 2025. Follow the proposal to limit constitutional rights to natural persons and regulate election money—and see how its wording and sponsorship changed.
- First introduction shown
- 2013
- House introductions
- 8
- Lead House sponsors
- 2
- Latest introduction
- 2025
Follow the proposal
A returning idea. A changing text.
The current attempt
Jayapal introduces H.J.Res.54 again on February 12, 2025. It retains the three amendment sections of the April 2023 proposal, including the press-freedom provision, and does not include a seven-year ratification deadline. The current record lists referral to House Judiciary.
Pending · Current CongressWe the People Amendment proposal
- Introduced
- Feb 12, 2025
- Lead sponsor
- Rep. Pramila Jayapal
- Committee
- House Judiciary
- Last action
- Feb 12, 2025 · Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
How to read this
Same proposal family.
Separate legislative records.
A new Congress requires a new introduction. Bill numbers alone do not identify a proposal: this history includes H.J.Res.29, H.J.Res.48, and H.J.Res.54.
There were two introductions in 2023, eleven days apart. Both appear here because their texts differ. The timeline does not treat them as one record or assume why the second was introduced.
These resolutions propose a constitutional amendment. The introduced texts require two-thirds of each chamber to concur and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures. A referral to committee is only an early step.
“Did not advance” describes the recorded outcome, not a vote rejecting the proposal. The historical records end at committee or subcommittee referral.
The record
The introductions & what changed
2025119th CongressH.J.Res.54The current attemptPramila JayapalPending
Introduced Feb 12, 2025 by Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
Jayapal introduces H.J.Res.54 again on February 12, 2025. It retains the three amendment sections of the April 2023 proposal, including the press-freedom provision, and does not include a seven-year ratification deadline. The current record lists referral to House Judiciary.
Last recorded action: Feb 12, 2025 · Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2023118th CongressH.J.Res.54Eleven days later, H.J.Res.54Pramila JayapalDid not advance
Introduced Apr 10, 2023 by Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
Jayapal introduces a second resolution on April 10. Compared with the March text, it adds extended alongside protected in the opening sentence, removes the for-profit qualifier from other entities, and describes freedom of the press as a right rather than a privilege. Both 2023 resolutions have separate legislative records.
Last recorded action: Apr 10, 2023 · Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2023118th CongressH.J.Res.48The first 2023 introductionPramila JayapalDid not advance
Introduced Mar 30, 2023 by Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
Jayapal introduces H.J.Res.48 on March 30. Compared with 2021, the opening sentence adds privileges alongside rights, and the examples of artificial entities include other for-profit entities. The press-freedom section refers to a privilege secured by the Constitution.
Last recorded action: Mar 30, 2023 · Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2021117th CongressH.J.Res.48The deadline is omitted againPramila JayapalDid not advance
Introduced May 20, 2021 by Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
Jayapal reintroduces H.J.Res.48 in 2021. This text keeps the press-freedom section but omits the seven-year ratification deadline included in 2019. The last recorded action is a subcommittee referral in November 2022.
Last recorded action: Nov 1, 2022 · Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
2019116th CongressH.J.Res.48Jayapal takes the leadPramila JayapalDid not advance
Introduced Feb 22, 2019 by Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
Pramila Jayapal becomes the lead House sponsor in 2019. This version again includes a seven-year ratification deadline and a third section preserving freedom of the press. It retains the language about political access regardless of economic status.
Last recorded action: Mar 22, 2019 · Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
2017115th CongressH.J.Res.48Nolan brings it backRichard M. NolanDid not advance
Introduced Jan 30, 2017 by Rep. Richard M. Nolan.
Nolan introduces H.J.Res.48 again in 2017. Like the 2015 text, it has two amendment sections and no seven-year ratification deadline or separate press-freedom section. Its record ends with referral to a Judiciary subcommittee.
Last recorded action: Feb 8, 2017 · Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
2015114th CongressH.J.Res.48A new number and revised languageRichard M. NolanDid not advance
Introduced Apr 28, 2015 by Rep. Richard M. Nolan.
Nolan returns with H.J.Res.48 in 2015. Compared with 2013, the election-money provision adds language about equal political access regardless of economic status. The introduced text omits both the seven-year ratification deadline and the separate press-freedom section.
Last recorded action: May 15, 2015 · Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
2013113th CongressH.J.Res.29Nolan introduces the proposalRichard M. NolanDid not advance
Introduced Feb 14, 2013 by Rep. Richard M. Nolan.
Richard M. Nolan introduces H.J.Res.29 in 2013. Its three sections address constitutional rights, election money, and freedom of the press. The resolution includes a seven-year deadline for state ratification after submission.
Last recorded action: Feb 28, 2013 · Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution And Civil Justice.