Senate Dems launch doomed election-season push for constitutional bar on outside groups' clout

Senate Democrats are starting a campaign-season push for a constitutional amendment that would let Congress and the states curb election spending by special interests.

The measure has no chance of winning the two-thirds majority needed to clear the Senate.

Democrats began trying to win that chamber's approval anyway Monday. It's part of their populist appeal to voters as they fight to retain their Senate majority in November's elections.

Led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Democrats have spent months lambasting the wealthy, conservative Koch (kohk) brothers. The two have been major contributors to conservative groups that are spending millions trying to unseat Democratic senators.

Republicans say limiting campaign contributions and spending would violate free speech. They say Democrats are playing politics by pushing the amendment.