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This resolution would start the process of amending the Constitution to set term limits for members of Congress. If approved by enough states, it would limit House members to six two-year terms and senators to two six-year terms. It also says that if someone serves more than part of a term, that time would count as a full term. The change would only take effect if three-fourths of the states ratify it within seven years.
- House members could serve no more than six terms, which means a maximum of 12 years.
- Senators could serve no more than two terms, which means a maximum of 12 years.
- Serving more than one year of a House term, or more than three years of a Senate term, would count as a full term.
- The rule would not apply to anyone who served in Congress before the 118th Congress.
Official Summaries
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution to limit terms in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Specifically, the amendment limits an individual serving as a Member of the House of Representatives to six two-year terms and an individual serving as a Senator to two six-year terms. The amendment specifies that the term limits do not apply to an individual who served in either chamber of Congress before the 118th Congress.
The joint resolution provides that the amendment shall be valid when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification.
Under Article V of the Constitution, both chambers of Congress may propose an amendment by a vote of two-thirds of all Members present for such vote. A proposed amendment must be ratified by the states as prescribed in Article V and as specified by Congress.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 5 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. J. RES. 5
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to
limit the number of terms an individual may serve as a Member of
Congress.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Fitzpatrick (for himself and Mr. Khanna) submitted the following
joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to
limit the number of terms an individual may serve as a Member of
Congress.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House
concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be
valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when
ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States
within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:
``Article--
``Section 1. No person shall serve as a Representative for more
than six two-year terms. Service as a Representative for more than one
year of any two-year term shall be treated as a complete term for
purposes of this section, without regard to whether the service was
completed by the individual originally elected to the term.
``Section 2. No person shall serve as a Senator for more than two
six-year terms. Service as a Senator for more than three years of any
six-year term shall be treated as a complete term for purposes of this
section, without regard to whether the service was completed by the
individual originally elected to the term.
``Section 3. This article shall not apply to any person who served
as a Representative or as a Senator during any Congress occurring
before the One Hundred Eighteenth Congress.''.
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