Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
This resolution would set a firm deadline for state legislatures to ratify the Congressional Apportionment Amendment, saying it only becomes part of the Constitution if three-fourths of the states ratify it by December 31, 2026. It also says any ratifications after that date would not count. The text states that Congress is using its authority under the constitutional amendment process to impose this time limit. If enacted, the deadline would determine whether the amendment can be declared adopted.
As a joint resolution, it must be passed by both the House and the Senate and be presented to the President for signature or veto override to become law. If enacted, the law would impose the stated ratification deadline on the existing proposed amendment.
This joint resolution sets a ratification deadline of December 31, 2026 for the Congressional Apportionment Amendment.
Any state ratifications after that date would be invalid for adopting the amendment.
The resolution cites Congress’s Article V authority to impose reasonable ratification conditions.
Procedurally simple and low-cost but linked to a contentious amendment, lacks compromise features, and could prompt legal challenges.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this joint resolution clearly accomplishes its narrow procedural aim by imposing a specific ratification deadline and declaring later ratifications invalid. It asserts Article V authority to support that action.
Legitimacy of imposing a retroactive ratification deadline
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Legitimacy of imposing a retroactive ratification deadline
Skeptical.
Sees the resolution as a procedural move that could be used to fast-track or foreclose debate over a consequential apportionment change.
Worries about representational impacts and the fairness of imposing a retroactive deadline.
Pragmatic but cautious.
Appreciates procedural clarity and avoiding perpetual pending amendments, but concerned about retroactive limits and possible legal challenges.
Wants bipartisan vetting before acting.
Generally favorable.
Views the resolution as a lawful, reasonable step to set a firm deadline and advance a structural apportionment amendment.
Supports asserting congressional control of amendment timing.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Procedurally simple and low-cost but linked to a contentious amendment, lacks compromise features, and could prompt legal challenges.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Legitimacy of imposing a retroactive ratification deadline
Procedurally simple and low-cost but linked to a contentious amendment, lacks compromise features, and could prompt legal challenges.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this joint resolution clearly accomplishes its narrow procedural aim by imposing a specific ratification deadline and declaring later ratifications invalid. It asserts Article…
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