H.J.Res.99 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that new States may be admitted to the United States upon a concurrence of two thirds of each house of Congress. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.J.Res.99 proposes a constitutional amendment altering the threshold for admitting new states into the United States. Currently, the Constitution grants Congress the power to admit new states, but the required level of support is not explicitly defined. This resolution seeks to mandate a two-thirds concurrence in each house of Congress for the admission of new states.
Expected Effects
If ratified, this amendment would make it more difficult to admit new states. A supermajority in both the House and Senate would be required, potentially leading to increased political gridlock regarding statehood decisions. This could impact territories seeking statehood, as broader consensus would be necessary for their admission.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Deliberation: Requires broader consensus, potentially leading to more thorough consideration of the economic, social, and political implications of admitting a new state.
- Protection of Existing States: Ensures that the interests of existing states are more heavily weighed, as a larger majority is needed to alter the balance of power within the Union.
- Reduced Partisan Influence: May reduce the likelihood of statehood being granted solely based on partisan political considerations, as bipartisan support would be necessary.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Gridlock: Makes it more difficult to admit new states, potentially disenfranchising residents of territories seeking statehood.
- Potential for Political Obstruction: A minority in either the House or Senate could block the admission of a new state, even if a majority supports it.
- Undemocratic Implications: Could be viewed as undermining the principle of majority rule, as a supermajority is required for a fundamental decision about the composition of the Union.
Constitutional Alignment
Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to admit new states. H.J.Res.99 proposes an amendment to this process, which is itself a constitutionally permissible action under Article V, which outlines the amendment process. The alignment depends on whether one believes a supermajority requirement is more or less in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution's design for federalism and representation.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).