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.
Summary
SJR2 is a proposed constitutional amendment package that would make three major changes to federal governance. First, it would authorize a presidential line-item veto over appropriations, allowing the President to reduce or disapprove specific spending items in bills or joint resolutions and requiring Congress to reconsider any disapproved appropriation separately. Second, it would impose term limits on Members of Congress by barring anyone who has served six terms in the House from running again and anyone who has served two terms in the Senate from being elected or appointed again, with prior service before ratification excluded from the count.
Third, the resolution would tighten the rules for federal tax legislation by requiring a two-thirds vote in each House for any bill that imposes a new tax or fee or raises an existing one, including through rate increases or by reducing exemptions, waivers, credits, or deductions. It also requires such legislation to contain no other subject, effectively creating a single-subject rule for tax increases and new fees. The resolution states that any of these proposed amendments would take effect only if ratified by three-fourths of the states within seven years of submission.
Impact
If adopted and ratified, the resolution would amend the U.S. Constitution and significantly alter the balance of power between Congress and the President, congressional eligibility rules, and the legislative threshold for tax and fee increases. It would affect Article I appropriations procedures by creating a constitutional line-item veto mechanism, and it would directly change who may serve in Congress by establishing federal term limits. It would also raise the voting threshold for revenue-related legislation, making it harder to enact new taxes, increase tax rates, or reduce tax preferences.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be presented as a reform package aimed at limiting congressional power, restraining taxation, and increasing executive control over spending. The overall framing suggests support for fiscal restraint and anti-incumbent reform themes. No formal vote history or transcript evidence is available here to show broader legislative support or opposition.
Contention
The most likely points of contention are the line-item veto, congressional term limits, and the supermajority requirement for tax legislation. Critics of the line-item veto may view it as an expansion of presidential power that could weaken Congress’s appropriations authority, while supporters may argue it helps eliminate wasteful spending. Term limits are likely to be controversial because opponents may argue they reduce voter choice and institutional expertise, whereas supporters may see them as a check on career politicians. The two-thirds vote requirement for taxes and fees would likely draw opposition from lawmakers who believe it would make budgeting and revenue policy too difficult, while proponents would see it as a safeguard against tax increases.
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