Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve.
The bill is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to place term limits on members of Congress. If ratified by the states, it would add a new article to the Constitution setting three terms for Representatives (with each term counted as a separate term) and two terms for Senators. It includes specific rules for counting terms when a seat is filled via vacancy and a grandfather clause for current officeholders. The amendment would become part of the Constitution only after ratification by three-fourths of the states within seven years after the date of submission for ratification. The proposal requires two-thirds votes in both the House and Senate to advance to the states for ratification. Key design features include how terms are counted for vacancies, a grandfathering provision for current officeholders, and clear prospective applicability after ratification (not retroactive to those already serving, beyond allowing current terms to run).
Key Points
- 1Sets term limits: no more than three terms for Representatives and no more than two terms for Senators.
- 2Vacancy counting rules:
- 3- In the House, a person who fills a vacancy for more than one year counts as a term.
- 4- In the Senate, a person who fills a vacancy for more than three years counts as a term.
- 5Grandfather clause: the amendment does not apply to anyone who is serving a term at the time of ratification.
- 6Ratification process: requires approval by two-thirds of both House and Senate to propose, and ratification by three-fourths of the states within seven years to become law.
- 7Prospective effect: the term limits apply to future elections; current officeholders may complete their ongoing term (subject to the grandfathering provision), but would be restricted from seeking additional terms after ratification.