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In what amounts to a declaration of war on the Roberts Supreme Court, Senate Democrats said Wednesday that they will force a vote this year on a constitutional amendment to overturn several landmark First Amendment campaign finance rulings and give Congress explicit powers to set donation and spending limits for all federal campaigns.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, the New York Democrat driving the effort, said the justices have taken the First Amendment too far and need to be reeled in by Congress.

SEE ALSO: Ex-Justice Stevens backs amendment on campaign funds

He said he had the blessing of fellow Democratic leaders to bring the amendment to the floor for a vote rather soon. They acknowledged that they have little hope of succeeding but said the vote was a way to send a message to the justices.

The First Amendment is not absolute, Mr. Schumer said. The only way that we can save American democracy, so that people still believe its one person, one vote and theres a semblance of fairness, is a constitutional amendment.

The move kicks off a fundamental debate over free speech, the limits of congressional powers and the nature of political campaigns.

Opponents said they were shocked that Democrats would attempt to amend the Constitution to limit something that the Supreme Court has called a fundamental right and that the move was another way to try to insulate lawmakers from having to hear from voters.

Campaign finance reform restrictions are always pitched as Lets prevent corruption, lets hold politicians accountable, and they do exactly the opposite, said Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican. Every single restriction this body puts in place is designed to do one thing protect incumbent politicians.

Campaign finance has been a touchy issue for decades but has taken on a more pointed tone in recent years.

In his 2010 State of the Union address, President Obama scolded the justices, sitting directly in front of him in the House chamber, for their Citizens United decision issued just days earlier.

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Senate Dems vow vote to change Constitution, block campaign funding

First Amendment Only Protects Christians, Says Bryan Fischer
"Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association said Tuesday that the founding fathers intended the First Amendment to only protect Christianity, not ...

By: Feth Stimac

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First Amendment Only Protects Christians, Says Bryan Fischer - Video

Doc Rivers: Silver Decision Was Right One

Clippers coach Doc Rivers spoke to the media before Game 5 of LAs first round series against the Warriors. Rivers shared his thoughts on NBA commissioner Adam Silvers decision to ban Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the league for life and the effort to force Sterling to sell the team.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers spoke to the media before Game 5 of LAs first round series against the Warriors. Rivers shared his thoughts on NBA commissioner Adam Silvers decision to ban Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the league for life and the effort to force Sterling to sell the team.

Search crews have found a father and his two children who had been missing for more than two days in the vast woods and swamps of the Congaree National Park in South Carolina, officials said Tuesday.

John Lackey followed his last outing against the Yankeesa gem which manager John Farrell called arguably the right-handers best showing in a Red Sox uniform with another impressive showing Tuesday night, as the Red Sox beat the Rays 7-4 at Fenway Park. Lackey went eight innings, giving up two runs on six hits and a with five strikeouts. He earned the win, improving to 4-2, lowering his ERA from 4.22 to 3.83.

The moment Bruins and Canadiens fans have been waiting for has finally arrived, as the NHL officially announced on Tuesday the date of Game 1 of their series.

The moment Bruins and Canadiens fans have been waiting for has finally arrived, as the NHL officially announced on Tuesday evening the date of Game 1 of their second round series.

An Oklahoma inmate whose execution was halted Tuesday because the delivery of a new drug combination was botched died of a heart attack, the head of the state Department of Corrections said.

Move over Samsung, there's a new endorsement for David Ortiz in town. Ortiz announced on Tuesday that he has signed on to be the spokesperson for Dunkin' Donuts.

An explosion and fire possibly caused by a dust buildup at a Southern California metal-polishing shop injured 11 people Tuesday, including two men who were critically burned, fire officials said.

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Were Sterlings First Amendment Rights Violated? Nope.

PBL in Journalism I, 2014
Watch and listen to journalism I students, under the supervision of adviser Sue Skalicky, pursue a project regarding first amendment right. It #39;s about more than the grade -- it #39;s about making...

By: Mary Palmer

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PBL in Journalism I, 2014 - Video

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Jason Patric

On Monday, Jason Patric prevailed in what is likely a first-of-its-kind legal dispute. The actor's ex-girlfriend Danielle Schreiber demanded a restraining order that would have prevented Patric from using their son's name for "Stand Up for Gus," an advocacy outfit that raises awareness of parental alienation. But a Los Angeles judge decided that to stop Patric from doing things like tweeting Gus' name would be a prior restraint under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

STORY:Jason Patric's Sperm Spawns First Amendment Battle

How the issue got to such a ruling is a twofold story.

First, Patric and Schreiber have been fighting over custody of their four-year-old son, who was born through artificial insemination. Thanks to California law, which grants the mother full custody unless there is a written agreement establishing parental rights before conception, a judge has denied The Lost Boys star access to his son. So as the custody battle heads to an appeals court next month, Gus can be considered in some respects a legal stranger to his father.

Second, in response to the situation, Patric started "Stand Up for Gus" and has been promoting it through media interviews, at fundraising events, on Twitter and on Facebook. Schreiber sought a restraining order preventing Patrric from using the childs name and likeness for alleged commercial purposes without her permission. Usually, celebrities lean upon laws protecting one's likeness to prevent others from exploiting their fame, but in this instance -- and this is why this sort of situation hasn't popped up before -- Patric was using his fame and the name of his in vitro son to promote his cause.

Schreiber's attorney,Patty Glaser, insisted the child's "exploitation" was at stake, while Patric's attorney,Lawrence Iser,focused the judge's attention on the First Amendment. "Our country is founded upon the fundamental rights to speak freely and petition for causes, and the censorship sought by Ms. Schreiber is contrary to those fundamental values," said Iser.

STORY:California Sperm Donor Rights Bill Stalls Despite Actor Jason Patric's Impassioned Plea

At a hearing on Monday, Judge Stephen Moloney agreed that to grant a restraining order would mean a prior restraint. This doesn't necessarily foreclose Schreiber's legal recourse for any improper statements by Patric after they are made, but the judge doesn't see the need to create something that would be tantamount to a gag.

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Judge Won't Stop Jason Patric from Using Son's Name for Advocacy Purposes