Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the pardon power of the President.

House Joint Resolution

H.J.Res. 135

119th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the pardon power of the President.

In Committee

Introduced:Dec 18, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Johnny Olszewski

D - MD

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Summary

This proposed constitutional amendment would allow Congress to nullify presidential pardons. Under this system, the President would have 3 days to notify Congress of any pardon, then Congress would have 90 days to vote (requiring two-thirds of both chambers) to nullify it. If not nullified, the pardon takes effect. The President could not re-pardon an offense Congress has nullified.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Introduced12/18/2025

StatusReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

ChamberHouse

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Vote Prediction

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the pardon power of the President.

This proposed constitutional amendment would allow Congress to nullify presidential pardons. Under this system, the President would have 3 days to notify Congress of any pardon, then Congress would have 90 days to vote (requiring two-thirds of both chambers) t

Community Breakdown

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This proposed constitutional amendment would allow Congress to nullify presidential pardons. Under this system, the President would have 3 days to notify Congress of any pardon, then Congress would have 90 days to vote (requiring two-thirds of both chambers) to nullify it. If not nullified, the pardon takes effect. The President could not re-pardon an offense Congress has nullified.

Bill Number: 135
Introduced: 12/18/2025
Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the pardon power of the President.
Bill Number: 135
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced: 12/18/2025
Summary: This proposed constitutional amendment would allow Congress to nullify presidential pardons. Under this system, the President would have 3 days to notify Congress of any pardon, then Congress would have 90 days to vote (requiring two-thirds of both chambers) to nullify it. If not nullified, the pard

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This proposed constitutional amendment would allow Congress to nullify presidential pardons. Under this system, the President would have 3 days to notify Congress of any pardon, then Congress would have 90 days to vote (requiring two-thirds of both chambers) to nullify it. If not nullified, the pardon takes effect. The President could not re-pardon an offense Congress has nullified.

Last updated: 12/26/2025

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires President to notify Congress of pardons within 3 days or they have no effect
Gives Congress 90 days to nullify pardons by two-thirds vote of both chambers
Bills to nullify can be forced to a vote if signed by 20 Representatives or 5 Senators
President cannot re-pardon offenses that Congress has nullified
Would require ratification by 38 states after passing Congress with two-thirds vote
Responds to concerns about self-pardons and pardons for political allies

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This amendment would fundamentally alter the presidential pardon power established in Article II of the Constitution. Future presidents could still grant pardons, but controversial pardons would face Congressional review. The two-thirds threshold means only the most egregious pardons could realistically be nullified. Political allies pardoned by outgoing presidents would face uncertainty during the 90-day review period. Constitutional scholars note this is the first major proposed limit on pardon power since its adoption.

Policy Areas

No policy areas assigned yet.

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

135, 119th Congress (2025). "Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the pardon power of the President.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-hjres-135

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