Tuesday, February 14, 2017

I am passionate about defending the First Amendment. So I'm going to publish this list each week.

You can get the texts of the bills here: https://www.govtrack.us/…/subje…/first_amendment_rights/5904
Another source: https://www.congress.gov/

I am posting them without comment to simply make sure folks know what's going on. I emphatically do NOT support some of them. My own personal political views I'm trying to keep out of it, this is FYI only. Perhaps I should specify that. I hope people will read texts and decide for themselves.

First Amendment legislation proposed/pending in Congress as of today:

H.R. 172: To restore the Free Speech and First Amendment rights of churches and exempt organizations by repealing the 1954 Johnson Amendment.
Sponsor: Rep. Walter Jones [R-NC3]
Introduced: Jan 3, 2017
Referred to Committee: Jan 3, 2017

S.J.Res. 20: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to clarify the authority of Congress and the States to regulate corporations, limited liability companies, and other corporate entities established by the law
Sponsor: Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]
Introduced: Feb 3, 2017
Referred to Committee: Feb 3, 2017

H.Res. 12: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the enhancement of unity in America.
Sponsor: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee [D-TX18]
Introduced: Jan 3, 2017
Referred to Committee: Jan 3, 2017

H.J.Res. 61: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States giving Congress power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.
Sponsor: Rep. Steve Womack [R-AR3]
Introduced: Feb 2, 2017
Referred to Committee: Feb 2, 2017

H.J.Res. 48: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the rights extended by the Constitution are the rights of *natural persons only.
Sponsor: Rep. Richard Nolan [D-MN8]
Introduced: Jan 30, 2017
Referred to Committee: Jan 30, 2017

*This is what "natural persons" means in this bill:
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hjres48/text