[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 135 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. J. RES. 135
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to
limit the pardon power of the President.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 18, 2025
Mr. Olszewski (for himself and Mr. Bacon) submitted the following joint
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
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JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to
limit the pardon power of the President.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House
concurring therein), 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:
``Article--
``Section 1. The President shall transmit a notification of a grant
of a Reprieve or Pardon within 3 days to the President pro tempore of
the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Upon
receipt of such notification, Congress may, within 30 days, introduce a
Bill to nullify the Reprieve or Pardon. Upon introduction of a Bill to
nullify, Congress may pass, within 60 days, the Bill by two-thirds vote
of both Houses. If a Bill to nullify a Reprieve or Pardon is not passed
by Congress, the Reprieve or Pardon shall become effective on the date
that is 90 days after the date in which the President notifies the
President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives of a Reprieve or Pardon.
``Section 2. Any Bill to nullify a Reprieve or Pardon that is
signed by 20 Representatives or 5 Senators shall be voted on.
``Section 3. If the President fails to notify the President pro
tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
of a grant of a Reprieve or Pardon within 3 days, the Reprieve or
Pardon shall have no force or effect.
``Section 4. The President may not grant a reprieve or pardon of an
offense against the United States that was previously nullified by
Congress.
``Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by
appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.''.
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