H.J.Res. 13House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States limiting the pardon power of the President.

Introduced January 9, 2025

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 3:38 AM UTC

H.J.Res. 13 proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit the President’s pardon power. It would prevent the President from pardoning himself, close family members, his administration officials, campaign staff, or anyone whose offense was tied to the President’s personal or financial interests or coordinated with him. The amendment also declares any corruptly motivated pardon invalid and gives Congress the power to enforce these rules.

Key Provisions

  • The President would be barred from granting pardons or reprieves to himself, to close relatives (up to third degree) or their spouses, and to current or former members of his administration.
  • The President could not pardon paid employees of his presidential campaign.
  • Pardons could not be issued for offenses that were motivated by a direct personal or financial interest of the President, his close relatives, or his administration members.
  • Pardons could not be issued for offenses carried out at the direction of, or in coordination with, the President.
  • Any pardon given for a corrupt purpose would be considered invalid.
  • Congress would have the authority to enforce the amendment through legislation.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

January 9, 2025

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 9, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

January 9, 2025

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.J.Res. 13 on the floor

1 Republican
Monica De La Cruz
Rep. Monica De La CruzR-TX-15 · Dec 16, 2025

Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and resolutions, as follows: H.R. 116: Mr. Jack. H.R. 154: Mr. Landsman. H.R. 158: Mr. Landsman. H.R. 220: Ms. Escobar. H.R. 251: Mr.…

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 9, 2025

IA

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. J. RES. 13

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 9, 2025

Mr. Cohen (for himself, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, and Mr. Levin) 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 pardon power of the President.

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:

1.

The President shall not have the power to grant pardons and reprieves to—

(1)

the President’s self;

(2)

any person, up to a third degree relation, of the President, or a spouse thereof;

(3)

any current or former member of the President’s administration;

(4)

any person who worked on the President’s presidential campaign as a paid employee;

(5)

any person or entity for an offense that was motivated by a direct and significant personal or pecuniary interest of any of the foregoing persons; or

(6)

any person or entity for an offense that was at the direction of, or in coordination with, the President.

Any pardon issued for a corrupt purpose shall be invalid.

.

2.

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

.