2024 -- S 2890

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LC005785

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

TO SUPPORT HOUSE RESOLUTION 54 OF THE 2023-2024 CONGRESS TO AMEND THE

UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION TO PROVE THAT THE RIGHTS PROTECTED AND

EXTENDED BY THE CONSTITUTION ARE THE RIGHTS OF NATURAL PERSONS

ONLY

     Introduced By: Senators Acosta, Gu, Zurier, Kallman, Ujifusa, Cano, DiPalma, and
Britto

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     WHEREAS, The principle of government by and for the people is fundamental to

American values, and the rights of self-governance outlined in the United States Constitution and

Declaration of Independence are essential to securing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;

and

     WHEREAS, Fair elections are vital to democracy; and

     WHEREAS, Individuals have basic needs including clean air and water, and food

security; and

     WHEREAS, Corporations are legal entities created on paper which now possess powers

that can overshadow human rights and community interests; and

     WHEREAS, The extension of constitutional rights to corporations undermines

democratic principles; and

     WHEREAS, The Citizens United V. Federal Election Commission decision distorts the

electoral process by giving corporations personhood and undue influence through unlimited

spending; and

     WHEREAS, Equating money with speech gives unfair advantage to those with wealth;

and

     WHEREAS, Corporate-owned mass media influences political discourse and civic

engagement; and

     WHEREAS, Corporations exploit constitutional clauses to override local laws and

undermines community decision-making; and

     WHEREAS, The Move to Amend campaign seeks to abolish corporate personhood and

money as speech through a constitutional amendment; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby respectfully requests

that the Rhode Island delegation to the United States Congress support House Resolution 54 of

the 2023-2024 Congress to amend the United States Constitution to provide that the rights

protected and extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the members of the Rhode Island Congressional

Delegation.

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LC005785

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