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

[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.''. <all>