Emily Ekins on American Attitudes Toward Curbing the First Amendment

On Monday, Senate Democrats voted to advance a constitutional amendment that would allow Congress to regulate money raised and spent by candidates. It would also effectively overturn the Citizens United ruling and allow Congress the ability to restrict individuals, groups, corporations, and unions from using their resources in ways that Congress believes will influence elections.

The bill's own language would leave protection in place only for members of the formal "press."

This could be an easy sell in an era of widespread bashing of anybody who spends money to sway elections and influence changes in public policy. But the latest Reason-Rupe poll shows the American public supports efforts to reduce the effect of money in elections, but will not tolerate costs to speech if those are required. And almost all speech requires the expenditure of some money.