# 119-hjres-135: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the pardon power of the President.

119-hjres-135, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the pardon power of the President., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2] (D-MD); status introduced (as of 2026-10-30).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hjres-135
- As of: 2026-10-30
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hjres-135
- Congress: 119
- Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the pardon power of the President.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-12-18
- Sponsor: Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2] (D-MD)
- Cosponsors: 10
- Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-30

## Summary

**Limit the President's pardon power** by requiring quick notice to Congress and giving lawmakers a short, fast-track path to nullify reprieves or pardons. It would also bar pardons for offenses Congress already nullified and let a small number of members force a vote. - Presidents would have to notify the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House within 3 days of granting a reprieve or pardon. If they fail to notify within 3 days, the reprieve or pardon would have no force or effect. - Congress could introduce a bill to nullify a reprieve or pardon within 30 days and could pass that bill within 60 days by a two-thirds vote of both Houses. A petition signed by 20 Representatives or 5 Senators would require that bill to be voted on. - A reprieve or pardon would take effect 90 days after the President's notification unless Congress nullifies it sooner. The amendment would forbid granting a reprieve or pardon for an offense that Congress already nullified.

## Cosponsors (10)

- Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8] (D-VA), 2026-10-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] (D-TX), 2026-10-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1] (D-OH), 2026-10-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2] (R-NE), 2025-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11] (D-VA), 2026-03-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49] (D-CA), 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13] (D-MI), 2026-05-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32] (D-TX), 2026-05-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3] (D-MD), 2026-05-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27] (D-CA), 2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Limits on Presidential Pardons: mixed, medium. This bill would limit the President's pardon power and add fast congressional review. The President would have to notify the Senate President pro tempore and the House Speaker within 3 days of any reprieve or pardon. After that notice, Congress could introduce a bill to nullify the reprieve or pard…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-2086: Rights for the TSA Workforce Act
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-4206: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1065: Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hjres-135 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-joint-resolution/135)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-2086: Rights for the TSA Workforce Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2086)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-4206: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4206)
- [119-hr-1065: Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1065)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hjres-135 (as of 2026-10-30).