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.
Sponsored By: Senator Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced
Summary
Shifts major lawmaking power over spending, terms, and taxes. This joint resolution would propose three constitutional amendments: a presidential line-item veto for appropriations, strict term limits for Congress, and a two-thirds House rule to impose or raise any tax or fee.
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- Gives the President a line-item veto over appropriations. The President would be able to reduce or disapprove any appropriation in a bill or joint resolution and must return the disapproved portion to the originating House within 10 days with a statement of objections. Congress could separately consider those reduced or disapproved appropriations under Article I, Section 7 procedures.
- Limits how long Members of Congress can serve. Representatives would be barred from election after six terms, with vacancies filled for more than one year counting as a term. Senators would be barred after two terms, with vacancies filled for more than three years counting as a term. Terms that begin before ratification would not count.
- Forces a higher vote threshold for tax changes in the House. Any measure that imposes or raises a tax or fee, or cuts an exemption, credit, or deduction, would need a two-thirds affirmative House vote and could not include any other subject.
Each amendment would take effect only if three-fourths of the states ratify within seven years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
New term limits for Congress
If enacted, this would bar anyone from being elected to the House after serving six terms. Filling a House vacancy would count as a full term if you serve more than one year. It would also bar anyone from being elected or appointed to the Senate after two terms. Filling a Senate vacancy would count as a term if you serve more than three years. Any term that began before ratification would not count when applying these limits.
Presidential line-item veto power
If enacted, the President would be able to reduce or disapprove any individual appropriation in a spending bill presented under Article I, Section 7. A bill the President signs after making such changes would become law as modified. The President would have to return the changed portion and a statement of objections within 10 days. Congress could separately consider any reduced or disapproved appropriation.
Two-thirds vote to raise taxes
If enacted, any bill that creates a new tax or fee would have to contain only that subject and get a two-thirds vote of the House's membership. The same two-thirds and single-subject rule would apply to bills that raise taxes or cut exemptions, credits, or deductions. If passed, this would make it harder for Congress to impose or raise taxes and fees.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scott, Rick [R-FL]
FL • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov