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H.J.Res.66 / 108th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for terms of office for Members of the House of Representatives.

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 24, 2003

Constitutional Amendment - Increases the term of office of a member of the House of Representatives from two to fours years, except for terms corresponding to general elections conducted in years corresponding to the decennial census, which shall be for two years. Provides that nothing in this Amendment shall be construed to limit the number of consecutive terms a Representative may serve.

Makes this Amendment effective beginning with the first general election for Representatives held after the ratification of this Article; except that if a general election for Representatives is conducted in 2008, Representatives so elected shall serve two-year terms.

States that if a Member of the House is a candidate for the Senate, the term of such Representative shall end 30 days from the date on which such Representative files a notice of candidacy, and the Representative shall not be eligible to serve in the House for two years from such date. Requires, as soon as the Representative becomes a candidate for the Senate, the executive authority of the State from which the Representative was chosen to issue writs of election to fill the vacancy to be created by the Representative's candidacy.

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Deems the person elected to fill such vacancy to have been elected to the term of office of the Representative who the person is replacing.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Stenholm, Charles W. [D-TX-17] · D–TX

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.J.Res.66 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.J.Res.66 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.J.Res.66 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.J.Res.66 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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