The Democratic Assault on the First Amendment

[Commentary] Senate Democrats have promised a vote this year on a constitutional amendment allowing Congress to regulate "the raising and spending of money and in-kind equivalents with respect to federal elections."

Two canards are put forth to justify this broad authority. First, "money is not speech." And second, "corporations have no free speech rights." Neither contention bears even minimal scrutiny. The contemplated amendment is simply wrong. No politician should be immune from criticism. Congress has too much power already -- it should never have the power to silence citizens. Thankfully, any constitutional amendment must first win two-thirds of the vote in both houses of Congress. Then three-fourths of the state legislatures must approve the proposed amendment. There's no chance that Sen. Udall's amendment will clear either hurdle. Still, it's a reflection of today's Democratic disrespect for free speech that an attempt would even be made. There was a time, not too long ago, when free speech was a bipartisan commitment.