H.J.Res. 85 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States limiting the nu…

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 1:15 PM UTC

H.J.Res. 85 proposes a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would limit how long members of Congress can stay in office. It would cap Representatives at six terms and Senators at two terms, with special rules for partial terms. The amendment would only apply to people elected after the 115th Congress, so current members would be exempt.

Key Provisions

Representatives could serve no more than six full terms (up to 12 years). A partial term only counts toward the limit if the person serves more than one year of it.
Senators could serve no more than two full terms (up to 12 years). A partial term only counts toward the limit if the person serves more than three years of it.
The term limits would not apply retroactively to anyone who served in Congress before the 115th Congress.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

March 16, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 1, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

March 1, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

March 16, 2017

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.J.Res. 85 on the floor

1 Republican

Rep. Don BaconR-NE-2 · Apr 6, 2017

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.J. Res. 85.

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 1, 2017

IA

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. J. RES. 85

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 1, 2017

Mr. Gallagher (for himself and Mr. Johnson of Louisiana) submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

JOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States limiting the number of terms Senators and Representatives may serve.

That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:

—

1.

No person shall serve as a Representative for more than six terms. An election to any part of a term for which some other person was elected shall not count in determining the number of terms a person serves as a Representative unless the person serves more than one year as a Representative pursuant to that election.

2.

No person shall serve as a Senator for more than two terms. An election or appointment to any part of a term for which some other person was elected shall not count in determining the number of terms a person serves as a Senator unless the person serves more than three years as a Senator pursuant to that election or appointment.

3.

This article shall not apply to any person who served as a Representative or as a Senator during any Congress occurring before the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress.

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