Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve.
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 12
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-06: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T08:06:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 12) proposes a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on members of the U.S. Congress, aiming to prevent long-term incumbency and encourage turnover in legislative representation.
Key Provisions
- House of Representatives Limits: No person can be elected to the House after serving three terms as a Representative. If someone fills a vacancy (a temporary replacement seat) for more than one year, it counts as a full term.
- Senate Limits: No person can be elected or appointed to the Senate after serving two terms as a Senator. If someone fills a Senate vacancy for more than three years, it counts as a full term.
- Grandfather Clause: Any terms served before the amendment's ratification do not count toward these limits, allowing current members to complete their existing service without immediate restriction.
- Ratification Process: The amendment becomes part of the Constitution if ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states within seven years of submission.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The U.S. Constitution currently has no term limits for members of Congress, allowing unlimited re-elections. This amendment would introduce strict caps—three terms (six years) for House members and two terms (12 years) for Senators—marking a fundamental shift from the current system of indefinite service.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, though increased congressional turnover could lead to more frequent changes in legislative oversight, committee leadership, and policy priorities affecting agencies.
- On Citizens: Could promote fresher perspectives in Congress, potentially increasing competition in elections and reducing the influence of long-serving incumbents; however, it might also disrupt continuity in representation for voters who prefer experienced lawmakers.
- On International Relations: Indirect effects possible, such as shifts in foreign policy expertise due to term limits on senior senators, but no explicit international provisions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Members of Congress: Current and future representatives and senators, particularly long-serving incumbents who would face eligibility restrictions after the limits apply.
- Voters and Citizens: Those electing congressional members, who may see more open seats and new candidates but could lose favored experienced politicians.
- Political Parties and Campaigns: Parties might need to recruit and train more candidates frequently, altering fundraising and strategy dynamics.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional Implications: As a proposed amendment, it requires approval by two-thirds of both the House and Senate before state ratification, bypassing standard legislation. If ratified, it would permanently alter Article I of the Constitution without needing further congressional action.
- Legal Implications: The vacancy rules provide clear definitions to avoid disputes over partial terms, but courts might interpret edge cases (e.g., exact timing of service). It does not retroactively disqualify anyone, respecting prior service.
- Political Implications: This could reduce career politicians and combat perceptions of entrenched power, but critics might argue it limits voter choice and institutional knowledge; its introduction by a bipartisan group of House members signals broad but debated support for reform.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (115)
Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Taylor, David [R-OH-2], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21], Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3], Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Onder, Robert [R-MO-3], Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1] and 65 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-06: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-01-06: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve. — issued 2025-01-06 — PDF (2 pages)