A 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 membership of both Houses of Congress on any legislation raising or imposing new taxes or fees.
This joint resolution proposes three constitutional amendments to be decided by state legislatures (3/4 ratification needed within seven years): - A line-item veto: It would give the President authority to reduce or disapprove specific appropriations in spending bills, with a process for reporting back to the House of origin and for Congress to consider the reduced appropriations separately. - Term limits for Members of Congress: It would cap service at 6 terms (12 years) for Representatives and 2 terms (12 years) for Senators, with rules for counting terms taken from vacancies and applying only to terms beginning after ratification. - A supermajority requirement for tax/fee legislation: Any legislation imposing or increasing taxes or fees would require at least a two-thirds vote in each House and must contain no other subject (single-subject rule). The amendments would take effect only after ratification by three-fourths of the states within seven years. The bill was introduced by Senator Rick Scott (FL).
Key Points
- 1Line-item veto mechanism
- 2- The President could reduce or disapprove specific appropriations in a bill or joint resolution presented for approval under Article I, Section 7.
- 3- If the President signs after making such amendments, the bill becomes law as modified.
- 4- If the President disapproves, within 10 days they must return the reduced portion and their objections to the originating House.
- 5- Congress can separately consider the disapproved or reduced appropriation using the existing procedures for vetoed bills.
- 6Congressional term limits
- 7- House: No one may be elected to the House after serving 6 terms (12 years total). Vacancies count toward the term total if the vacancy lasts more than a year.
- 8- Senate: No one may be elected or appointed to the Senate after serving 2 terms (12 years total). Vacancies count toward the term total if the vacancy lasts more than three years.
- 9- Terms begun before ratification do not count toward these limits.
- 10Tax/fee legislation requires a supermajority and single subject
- 11- Any legislation imposing or authorizing a new tax or fee may pass the House only with at least a two-thirds vote and must contain no other subject.
- 12- Any legislation raising a tax or fee (including rate increases or removing exemptions) must also pass with a two-thirds vote and be a single-subject bill.
- 13Ratification process
- 14- The proposed amendments would take effect only after three-fourths of the states ratify them within seven years of Congress submitting them.