S.jres2 - 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. (119th Congress)
Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 2 proposes amendments to the U.S. Constitution addressing three key areas: the line-item veto for the President, term limits for members of Congress, and a supermajority requirement for legislation raising taxes or fees. The resolution requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to pass and ratification by three-fourths of the states within seven years.
If ratified, the amendment would grant the President the power to reduce or disapprove specific appropriations within spending bills, subject to congressional override. It also sets term limits at six terms for Representatives and two terms for Senators.
Finally, the amendment mandates a two-thirds majority in each House for any legislation that imposes new taxes or fees or raises existing ones.
Expected Effects
The proposed amendments, if ratified, would significantly alter the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. The line-item veto could give the President greater control over federal spending.
Term limits could lead to increased turnover in Congress, potentially bringing in new perspectives but also losing experienced legislators. The supermajority requirement for tax increases could make it more difficult to raise revenue, potentially impacting government funding for various programs.
These changes would likely lead to significant shifts in policy outcomes and political dynamics, depending on how they are implemented and interpreted by the courts.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced Fiscal Control: The line-item veto could allow the President to eliminate wasteful spending and reduce budget deficits.
- Increased Accountability: Term limits could make members of Congress more responsive to the needs of their constituents.
- Greater Taxpayer Protection: The supermajority requirement for tax increases could prevent excessive taxation and ensure that tax increases are broadly supported.
- Reduced Influence of Special Interests: Term limits may reduce the influence of lobbyists and special interests by preventing the entrenchment of long-term incumbents.
- Potential for New Ideas: Term limits could bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to Congress.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Executive Overreach: The line-item veto could give the President too much power over the budget, potentially undermining the legislative branch's authority.
- Loss of Expertise: Term limits could lead to a loss of experienced legislators and institutional knowledge.
- Gridlock: The supermajority requirement for tax increases could make it difficult to address pressing fiscal needs and could lead to government shutdowns.
- Increased Influence of Lobbyists: New members of Congress may be more susceptible to the influence of lobbyists and special interests due to their lack of experience.
- Disruption of Legislative Process: Frequent turnover in Congress could disrupt the legislative process and make it more difficult to pass legislation.
Constitutional Alignment
The proposed amendments touch on several aspects of the Constitution. The line-item veto potentially alters the balance of power outlined in Article I, Section 7, regarding the legislative process. Term limits raise questions about the qualifications for holding office, addressed in Article I, Sections 2 and 3, and potentially the right to choose representatives. The supermajority requirement for tax increases could be seen as altering the legislative process established in Article I.
While the Constitution provides a mechanism for amendments in Article V, the substance of these amendments could significantly reshape the structure and function of the government as originally intended. The alignment with the 'spirit' of the Constitution is debatable and depends on one's interpretation of the document's core principles.
It is important to note that the Constitution does not explicitly prohibit term limits, but the proposed amendment would add a new restriction on who can serve in Congress. Similarly, the Constitution does not currently require a supermajority for tax legislation, so this amendment would add a new requirement.
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).