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119-hjres-141119th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require the concurrence of two-thirds of both Houses of Congress for the admission of new States into the Union.

Sponsored By: Representative Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]

Introduced

Summary

Makes it harder to admit new states by raising who must agree. This proposed constitutional amendment changes the rules for statehood and sets a seven year window for the amendment's own ratification.

Show full summary
  • Congress: Admission would require broader federal agreement because Congress must meet the new approval threshold to admit a state.
  • State governments: Existing state legislatures would have to consent before a new state could be created from their territory or formed by joining parts of states.
  • Ratification rule and timeline: The amendment itself must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures within seven years for it to become part of the Constitution.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Higher vote needed for new states

This bill would require two thirds of both the House and the Senate to agree before Congress could admit a new State. If enacted, that would make it harder for territories or regions to gain statehood. The amendment would only take effect if state legislatures ratified it within seven years of Congress submitting it. For most households, taxes and benefits would not change.

Seven-year ratification deadline

This bill would make the amendment inoperative unless state legislatures ratified it within seven years of Congress sending it to the States. If enacted, the amendment would become part of the Constitution only after three fourths of state legislatures ratified it within that seven-year window. The time limit would reduce the chance the rule takes effect unless quick support appears.

New limits on creating new states

This bill would stop any new State from being made inside the borders of an existing State. It would also bar forming a State by joining parts of two or more States unless the affected state legislatures and Congress both consent. If enacted, the rule would protect current state boundaries but restrict regions that want to split off or combine. The amendment would only become operative if state legislatures ratified it within seven years.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]

MI • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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