H.J.Res. 54: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the rights protected and extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only.
Sponsor
Pramila Jayapal
Democrat · WA-7
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 12, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Only humans should have constitutional rights — not corporations
Why it matters
72 cosponsors want to amend the Constitution so that rights belong to natural persons only — not corporations, unions, or any other legal entity. If ratified, it would reverse decades of Supreme Court precedent treating corporate speech and spending as constitutionally protected.
H.J. Res. 54 proposes a constitutional amendment saying the rights protected and extended by the Constitution belong to natural persons only. In plain English, that means human beings would be the rights-holders, while corporations and other non-human entities would not.
The text is brief, but the reach could be broad. Many major court disputes involve whether a company, nonprofit, or other organization can raise constitutional claims. This amendment would cut against that framework by drawing a bright line between people and legal entities.
Nothing changes unless the amendment survives the hardest path in American lawmaking. Congress would first have to advance it, and then 38 states would need to ratify it before it became part of the Constitution.
The resolution does not include spending, fines, penalties, or a new federal agency. Its whole purpose is to set a constitutional rule that courts and lawmakers would have to apply if the states ratify it.
H.J.Res. 54 Bill Summary
What H.J.Res. 54 actually does.
Only people hold constitutional rights
The amendment says constitutional rights belong to natural persons only. That would exclude corporations and other non-human legal entities from claiming those rights under the Constitution.
Corporations would face a different legal landscape
Because the text limits rights to human beings, courts could no longer treat a corporation's constitutional claim the same way they treat an individual's claim if the amendment were ratified.
38 states would have to approve it
H.J. Res. 54 would become part of the Constitution only if three-fourths of state legislatures ratify it. With 50 states, that means 38 state legislatures.
No new agency or enforcement system
The resolution does not create a federal office, grant program, penalty system, or reporting requirement. It is a proposed constitutional rule, not an agency-driven program.
The change would happen only after ratification
Congress cannot make this amendment effective on its own. Until enough states ratify it, H.J. Res. 54 remains a proposal rather than binding constitutional text.
Who benefits from H.J.Res. 54?
People who want rights reserved for human beings
If you believe constitutional rights should belong to actual people rather than corporations or other entities created by law, this amendment is aimed directly at that concern.
Advocates focused on corporate influence in constitutional law
Supporters who argue that businesses have gained too much protection through constitutional claims would get a much clearer constitutional boundary if this amendment were adopted.
State legislatures
State lawmakers would hold the deciding vote. The amendment cannot take effect unless 38 state legislatures ratify it.
Who is affected by H.J.Res. 54?
Corporations and other legal entities
These are the clearest groups affected. If H.J. Res. 54 were ratified, they could no longer claim constitutional rights under the amendment's person-only rule.
Courts handling constitutional cases
Judges would have to apply a new baseline rule when organizations raise constitutional claims. That could affect cases involving speech, due process, property, and other rights questions.
Advocacy groups, nonprofits, and associations
Organizations that currently rely on constitutional arguments in court could face major uncertainty because the amendment does not carve out exceptions for non-human entities.
Congress and the states
Congress would need unusually broad support to propose the amendment, and then states would decide whether it lives or dies through ratification.
HJRES54 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Feb 12, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
About the Sponsor
Pramila Jayapal
Democrat, Washington's 7th congressional district · 9 years in Congress
Committees: the Judiciary, the Budget, Foreign Affairs
View full profile →
Cosponsors (77)
All 77 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 30 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, and 27 more.
Raúl Grijalva
Democrat · AZ
Nikema Williams
Democrat · GA
Paul Tonko
Democrat · NY
Jerrold Nadler
Democrat · NY
Jimmy Panetta
Democrat · CA
Henry Johnson
Democrat · GA
Lloyd Doggett
Democrat · TX
Rashida Tlaib
Democrat · MI
Delia Ramirez
Democrat · IL
Yvette Clarke
Democrat · NY
Eleanor Norton
Democrat · DC
Seth Magaziner
Democrat · RI
Committee Sponsors
Judiciary Committee
7 of 42 committee members cosponsored
11 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.J.Res. 54 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Judiciary
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Introduced
- Feb 12, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 12, 2025
Official Sources
Official Congress.gov page for the resolution, including text, status, sponsor, and cosponsors.
Official Congressional Research Service explanation of how constitutional amendments are proposed and ratified, directly relevant to how H.J. Res. 54 would need approval from the states.
National Archives overview of the constitutional amendment process, including the requirement that three-fourths of the states ratify an amendment.
Official constitutional analysis resource that helps explain the existing framework under which corporations and other entities may raise constitutional claims.
Official constitutional analysis resource relevant to how courts currently assess constitutional protections that can affect legal entities as well as individuals.
Official National Archives transcript of the Constitution, useful for understanding where a new amendment proposed by H.J. Res. 54 would fit in the constitutional text.
Official GovInfo publication of the Constitution and amendments, relevant for readers who want a government-published constitutional reference alongside the proposed amendment.
H.J.Res. 54 Common Questions
What would H.J. Res. 54 actually do?
It would add a constitutional rule saying the rights protected and extended by the Constitution belong to natural persons only. In practice, that means human beings—not corporations or other entities—would hold those rights.
Would corporations lose constitutional rights under H.J. Res. 54?
Yes, if the amendment were ratified. The text says constitutional rights belong to natural persons only, so corporations and other non-human entities would be excluded.
Does H.J. Res. 54 take effect if Congress passes it?
No. Like any constitutional amendment, it would need state ratification after Congress. H.J. Res. 54 does not become part of the Constitution unless enough states approve it.
How many states would have to ratify H.J. Res. 54?
Three-fourths of the states. With 50 states, that means 38 state legislatures would need to ratify it.
Does H.J. Res. 54 define "natural persons" in detail?
No. The text uses the phrase "natural persons" but does not add a longer definition or list exceptions in the resolution itself.
Does H.J. Res. 54 create a new agency or enforcement office?
No. It does not create a federal agency, office, or enforcement body. It is a proposed constitutional amendment, not a new program.
Does H.J. Res. 54 include any funding or penalties?
No. The resolution includes no spending levels, grants, fines, or criminal penalties. Its text is focused entirely on changing the Constitution.
Based on H.J.Res. 54 bill text
H.J.Res. 54 Bill Text
“Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that the rights protected and extended by the Constitution are the rights of natural persons only.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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