The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts Legislature petitions Congress to call a constitutional convention to overturn Citizens United and limit political spending
Last action · May 14, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5422 (under House Rule 27)Sponsors: Carmine Gentile and 6 others
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
The Massachusetts Legislature adopts a resolution calling on the U.S. Congress to propose a constitutional amendment establishing that constitutional rights apply only to human beings and that political spending is not protected free speech. If Congress fails to act within six months, the resolution serves as a formal application under for a limited national convention, taking effect once 34 states total submit matching petitions.
Directs the state to formally join an interstate push to alter federal election law and constitutional interpretation regarding corporate rights and campaign contributions, dependent on actions by other state legislatures.
- Article V of the United States Constitution establishes the mechanisms for constitutional amendment, permitting two-thirds of state legislatures to petition Congress for a national convention. context
- The 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC struck down independent expenditure limits on corporations and unions. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Citizens of Massachusetts
Their state legislature is formally petitioning the federal government to alter constitutional provisions governing elections and campaign finance.
United States Congress
Congress is petitioned to either propose a specific constitutional amendment or call a convention upon receiving sufficient state applications.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the resolution ask Congress to do?
Who is allowed to serve as a delegate if a convention is called?
When does this petition become active?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
5 actions- May 14, 2026HouseAccompanied a study order, see H5422 (under House Rule 27)
- Nov 13, 2025JointHearing rescheduled to 11/13/2025 from 01:00 PM-03:50 PM in B-1 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>
- Nov 3, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 11/13/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-1
- Feb 27, 2025SenateSenate concurred
- Feb 27, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Cumulative Interstate Campaign
The measure explicitly links its application to historical resolutions passed by Vermont, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy75Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools