Rick Scott (R-FL)
A joint resolution proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States relative to the line item veto, a limitation on the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve, and requiring a vote of two-thirds of the membership of both Houses of Congress on any legislation raising or imposing new taxes or fees.
A Republican resolution with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This joint resolution proposes three specific amendments to the United States Constitution. First, it would grant the President the power to use a line item veto to reduce or disapprove specific appropriations in bills. Second, it establishes term limits for members of Congress, limiting Representatives to 6 terms and Senators to 2 terms. Third, it requires a two-thirds majority vote in a House of Congress for any legislation that imposes new taxes or fees or increases existing ones. These changes would take effect upon ratification by three-fourths of the states within seven years.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +6
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands presidential authority through the line item veto and restricts congressional authority by requiring supermajorities for tax changes.
- Scored +5
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The line item veto power allows the President to reduce or disapprove specific appropriations within a bill.
- Scored +4
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The President gains the power to unilaterally reduce specific spending items through the line item veto.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this raise the taxes companies pay?
The bill makes it significantly harder to pass legislation that raises any type of tax or fee through a two-thirds House requirement.
- Scored -2
Does this raise taxes on the highest earners?
The bill makes it significantly harder to pass legislation that raises any type of tax or fee through a two-thirds House requirement.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Presidential Oversight of Spending: Under the first proposed article, the President would have the authority to reduce or disapprove specific appropriations within a bill or joint resolution (Section 1). This allows the President to modify how money is spent before a bill becomes law (Section s 2 and 3).
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Predictable Congressional Leadership: The second proposed article limits the number of terms a person can serve in Congress (Section 1 and 2). This establishes a cap of 6 terms for the House and 2 terms for the Senate, ensuring that no person serves indefinitely (Section 3).
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Protection Against Tax Increases: The third proposed article requires a much higher threshold for tax legislation. Any legislation raising a tax or fee, including increasing rates or eliminating deductions, would require a two-thirds affirmative vote from the House of Congress (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Legislative Uncertainty for Appropriations: If the President reduces an appropriation, they must return that specific portion to the House of origin along with a statement of objections (Section 3). This requires Congress to separately consider the disapproved portions (Section 4).
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Restrictions on Serving in Congress: Individuals seeking to serve in the House or Senate would face strict limits on their career longevity. Those who have served 6 terms in the House or 2 terms in the Senate would no longer be eligible for election or appointment (Section 1 and 2). Vacancy fillers may also have their service counted toward these limits if they serve specific durations (Section 1 and 2).
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Increased Difficulty in Passing Tax Legislation: The third proposed article mandates that legislation imposing or authorizing a new tax or fee must contain no other subject and must receive a two-thirds vote (Section 1). This higher voting threshold applies to any legislation raising a tax or fee, including changes to rates or the elimination of credits or deductions (Section 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands presidential authority through the line item veto and restricts congressional authority by requiring supermajorities for tax changes. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill introduces term limits which may prevent the long-term entrenchment of political figures.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The line item veto power allows the President to reduce or disapprove specific appropriations within a bill. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The President gains the power to unilaterally reduce specific spending items through the line item veto. Does this raise the taxes companies pay? — The bill makes it significantly harder to pass legislation that raises any type of tax or fee through a two-thirds House requirement. Does this raise taxes on the highest earners? — The bill makes it significantly harder to pass legislation that raises any type of tax or fee through a two-thirds House requirement.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this reduce what is spent on the military? — The line item veto provides the President with a tool to reduce specific military appropriations.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would high-income households be better off under this? — The bill makes it much harder to pass new taxes or eliminate existing tax deductions or exemptions.
- 1/8/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HJRES-12: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve.
- 119-SJRES-1: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to limiting the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve.