What This Bill Does
This resolution proposes three constitutional amendments to the United States. The amendments would give the President power to reject specific spending items, limit how long Members of Congress can serve, and require a two-thirds vote in Congress to raise or create new taxes.
Who It Affects
The President, Members of Congress (Representatives and Senators), and all U.S. citizens voting in federal elections.
Key Provisions
• The President may reduce or disapprove any appropriation (money set aside for spending) in any bill or joint resolution presented to the President (Article 1, Section 1)
• The President must return disapproved appropriations to the originating House within 10 days and explain objections to each one (Article 1, Section 3)
• No person who has served 6 terms as a House Representative may be elected to the House again (Article 2, Section 1)
• No person who has served 2 terms as a Senator may be elected or appointed to the Senate (Article 2, Section 2)
• New taxes or fees may only be created if a House votes with at least two-thirds agreement and the bill contains no other subjects (Article 3, Sections 1 and 2)
What Changes
If ratified, these amendments would change the Constitution. The President would gain new power to reject individual spending items. Members of Congress would face term limits. Congress would need a supermajority (two-thirds) vote to pass any tax legislation.
Important Definitions
The bill does not provide explicit definitions of key terms.
Effective Date
The amendments become valid when ratified by legislatures in three-fourths of the states within seven years after Congress submits them.
IIA
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S. J. RES. 1
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States relative
to the line item veto, a limitation on the number of terms that a
Member of Congress may serve, and requiring a vote of two-thirds
of the membership of both Houses of Congress on any legislation raising
or imposing new taxes or fees.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
JANUARY 23 (legislative day, JANUARY 3), 2023
Mr. SCOTT of Florida introduced the following joint resolution; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United
States relative to the line item veto, a limitation on
the number of terms that a Member of Congress may
serve, and requiring a vote of two-thirds of the member-
ship of both Houses of Congress on any legislation rais-
ing or imposing new taxes or fees.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
1
of the United States of America in Congress assembled
2
(two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the fol-
3
lowing articles are proposed as amendments to the Con-
4
stitution of the United States, all or any of which shall
5
be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Con-
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stitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths
1
of the several States within seven years after the date of
2
its submission by the Congress:
3
‘‘ARTICLE —
4
‘‘SECTION 1. The President may reduce or disapprove
5
any appropriation in any bill or joint resolution that is
6
presented to the President under section 7 of Article I.
7
‘‘SECTION 2. Any bill or joint resolution that the
8
President approves and signs, after being amended under
9
section 1, shall become law as so modified.
10
‘‘SECTION 3. If the President reduces or disapproves
11
an appropriation in a bill or joint resolution under section
12
1, not later than 10 days after the date on which the bill
13
or joint resolution is presented to the President under sec-
14
tion 7 of Article I, the President shall return to the House
15
from which the bill or joint resolution originated—
16
‘‘(a) the portion of the bill or joint resolution con-
17
taining the reduced or disapproved appropriation; and
18
‘‘(b) a statement of each objection of the President
19
to the appropriation.
20
‘‘SECTION 4. Congress may separately consider any
21
appropriation that is reduced or disapproved under section
22
1 in the manner prescribed under section 7 of Article I
23
for bills disapproved by the President.
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‘‘ARTICLE —
1
‘‘SECTION 1. No person who has served 6 terms as
2
a Representative shall be eligible for election to the House
3
of Representatives. For purposes of this section, the elec-
4
tion of a person to fill a vacancy in the House of Rep-
5
resentatives shall be included as 1 term in determining
6
the number of terms that such person has served as a Rep-
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resentative if the person fills the vacancy for more than
8
1 year.
9
‘‘SECTION 2. No person who has served 2 terms as
10
a Senator shall be eligible for election or appointment to
11
the Senate. For purposes of this section, the election or
12
appointment of a person to fill a vacancy in the Senate
13
shall be included as 1 term in determining the number
14
of terms that such person has served as a Senator if the
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person fills the vacancy for more than 3 years.
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‘‘SECTION 3. No term beginning before the date of
17
the ratification of this article shall be taken into account
18
in determining eligibility for election or appointment under
19
this article.
20
‘‘ARTICLE —
21
‘‘SECTION 1. Legislation imposing or authorizing a
22
new tax or fee may only be agreed to by a House of Con-
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gress if such legislation contains no other subject and is
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agreed to upon an affirmative vote of not less than two-
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thirds of the Members of such House of Congress, duly
1
chosen and sworn.
2
‘‘SECTION 2. Legislation raising any tax or fee, in-
3
cluding any increase in a rate of tax or fee imposed on
4
a percentage basis, any increase in an amount of a tax
5
or fee imposed on a flat or fixed basis, or any decrease
6
in or elimination of an exemption, waiver, credit, or deduc-
7
tion with respect to a tax or fee, may only be agreed to
8
by a House of Congress if such legislation contains no
9
other subject and is agreed to upon an affirmative vote
10
of not less than two-thirds of the Members of such House
11
of Congress, duly chosen and sworn.’’.
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Æ
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