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Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that debate upon legislation pending before the Senate may not be brought to a close without the concurrence of a minimum of three-fifths of the Senators.

USA119th CongressHJRES-4| House 
| Updated: 1/3/2025
Brian K. Fitzpatrick

Brian K. Fitzpatrick

Republican Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (4)
Jared F. Golden (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Adam Gray (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution, aiming to establish a specific threshold for concluding debate on legislation within the Senate. The core purpose is to constitutionally mandate that debate on any measure or motion, excluding Presidential nominations, cannot be brought to a close without significant bipartisan agreement. Specifically, the proposed amendment stipulates that ending debate would require either existing laws as of January 3, 2025, unanimous consent , or the concurrence of a minimum of three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn. This provision would effectively enshrine the current 60-vote threshold for invoking cloture on most legislative matters into the Constitution, making it more difficult to change by simple Senate rule changes.
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Timeline
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Congress

Constitution and constitutional amendmentsLegislative rules and procedureSenate

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that debate upon legislation pending before the Senate may not be brought to a close without the concurrence of a minimum of three-fifths of the Senators.

USA119th CongressHJRES-4| House 
| Updated: 1/3/2025
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution, aiming to establish a specific threshold for concluding debate on legislation within the Senate. The core purpose is to constitutionally mandate that debate on any measure or motion, excluding Presidential nominations, cannot be brought to a close without significant bipartisan agreement. Specifically, the proposed amendment stipulates that ending debate would require either existing laws as of January 3, 2025, unanimous consent , or the concurrence of a minimum of three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn. This provision would effectively enshrine the current 60-vote threshold for invoking cloture on most legislative matters into the Constitution, making it more difficult to change by simple Senate rule changes.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Brian K. Fitzpatrick

Brian K. Fitzpatrick

Republican Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (4)
Jared F. Golden (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Adam Gray (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Congress

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Constitution and constitutional amendmentsLegislative rules and procedureSenate