Kerry Calls For Constitutional Amendment To Reverse Supremes

Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) says there needs to be a constitutional amendment indicating that corporations don't have the same free speech rights as individuals.

That came in a Senate Rules Committee hearing Tuesday (Feb. 2) with the rather loaded title: "Corporate America vs. The Voter: Examining the Supreme Court's Decision to Allow Unlimited Corporate Spending In Elections." At the hearing, committee Chairman Charles Schumer (D-NY) launched an effort to stem a potential new flood of corporate campaign ad money to broadcast and cable outlets.

Sen Kerry said it would take some time to craft that amendment, and in the meantime the committee should pass various bills that have been introduced to tighten up disclosure and disclaimer rules and give shareholders more say in corporate campaign speech. Kerry's call for a constitutional amendment was seconded by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), who also said he planned to introduce legislation in the Senate calling for a complete overhaul of the campaign finance system. Sen Kerry also put in a request for free airtime for candidates, and a number of Senators brought up the issue of lowest unit rates.