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H.J.Res. 97House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the composition of the Senate to Senators from States admitted to the Union prior to the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress.

Sponsored by Mark WalkerRep. Mark Walker (R-NC)
Introduced September 29, 2020

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 3:18 PM UTC

H.J.Res. 97 proposes a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would limit the Senate to members only from states that were admitted to the Union before the 116th Congress (i.e., before 2019). If adopted, the amendment would become part of the Constitution after approval by three‑quarters of state legislatures within seven years. The change would affect who is eligible to serve as a U.S. Senator.

Key Provisions

  • Adds an amendment stating: “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of Senators who are from States admitted to the Union prior to the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress.”
  • Requires the usual constitutional amendment process: two‑thirds approval in both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by the legislatures of three‑quarters of the states within seven years.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

September 29, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 29, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

September 29, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 29, 2020

IA

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. J. RES. 97

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 29, 2020

Mr. Walker 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 to limit the composition of the Senate to Senators from States admitted to the Union prior to the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress.

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:

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The Senate of the United States shall be composed of Senators who are from States admitted to the Union prior to the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress.

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