Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms an individual may serve as a Member of Congress.

House Joint Resolution

H.J.Res. 5

119th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms an individual may serve as a Member of Congress.

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 3, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Brian Fitzpatrick

R - PA

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Congress

Summary

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms. House members would be limited to six two-year terms (12 years total) and Senators to two six-year terms (12 years total). The limits do not apply to individuals who served in Congress before the 118th Congress. The amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years. Like all constitutional amendments, it requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers before going to states for ratification.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms. House members would be limited to six two-year terms (12 years total) and Senators to two six-year terms (12 years total). The limits do not apply to individuals who served in Congress before the 118th Congress. The amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years. Like all constitutional amendments, it requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers before going to states for ratification.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution to limit terms in the Senate and the House of Representatives.Specifically, the amendment limits an individual serving as a Member of the House of Representatives to six two-year terms and an individual serving as a Senator to two six-year terms. The amendment specifies that the term limits do not apply to an individual who served in either chamber of Congress before the 118th Congress. The joint resolution provides that the amendment shall be valid when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification. Under Article V of the Constitution, both chambers of Congress may propose an amendment by a vote of two-thirds of all Members present for such vote. A proposed amendment must be ratified by the states as prescribed in Article V and as specified by Congress.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Proposes 6-term limit for House members (12 years)
Proposes 2-term limit for Senators (12 years)
Exempts those who served before 118th Congress
Requires ratification within 7 years
Needs two-thirds congressional and three-fourths state approval

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For current members: Exempted if served before 118th Congress. For future candidates: Limited congressional careers possible. For voters: Different electoral dynamics with term-limited incumbents. For congressional expertise: Concerns about loss of institutional knowledge. For state legislatures: Decision power on ratification.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Congress

Related Subjects

Congressional elections

Constitution and constitutional amendments

House of Representatives

Members of Congress

Senate

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

5, 119th Congress (2025). "Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms an individual may serve as a Member of Congress.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hjres-5