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HJRES 4

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that debate upon legislation pending before the Senate may not be brought to a close without the concurrence of a minimum of three-fifths of the Senators.

119th Congress Introduced by Brian Fitzpatrick and 4 co-sponsors

HJRES 4 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring 60 Senators to agree to end debate on legislation, aiming for more discussion but risking increased gridlock.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJRES 4

Summary of HJRES 4

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: HJRES 4
  • Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that debate upon legislation pending before the Senate may not be brought to a close without the concurrence of a minimum of three-fifths of the Senators.
  • Status: Introduced in House
  • Introduced: January 03, 2025
  • Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

HJRES 4 aims to amend the United States Constitution to establish a requirement for a supermajority vote in the Senate to end debate on legislation. This amendment seeks to ensure that a minimum of three-fifths (60 out of 100) Senators must agree to close debate on any measure or motion, thereby potentially reducing the frequency of filibusters and promoting more extensive discussion on legislative matters.

Key Provisions

  • Supermajority Requirement: The proposed amendment stipulates that debate on any measure or motion pending before the Senate, with the exception of Presidential nominations, cannot be concluded without:

    • The concurrence of at least three-fifths of the Senators.
    • Unanimous consent from all Senators.
    • Adherence to existing laws as they were in effect on January 3, 2025.

  • Exclusions: Presidential nominations are explicitly excluded from this requirement, meaning that the standard procedures for concluding debate on such nominations would remain unchanged.

Impact

  • Legislative Process: If ratified, this amendment would significantly alter the legislative process in the Senate by making it more challenging to end debate and move forward with voting on legislation. This could lead to longer discussions and potentially more gridlock in the Senate.

  • Senators and Legislative Bodies: All Senators would be directly affected, as they would need to secure a larger consensus to advance legislation. This change may encourage more bipartisan cooperation or, conversely, exacerbate partisan divisions depending on the political climate.

  • State Legislatures: The amendment would require ratification by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states, meaning that state lawmakers would also play a crucial role in determining the amendment's fate.

Legislative Actions

  • 2025-01-03: HJRES 4 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration following its introduction.

Conclusion

HJRES 4 represents a significant proposal to amend the Constitution regarding Senate debate procedures. By requiring a supermajority for closing debate, the bill aims to foster more thorough discussions on legislation, though it may also lead to increased legislative gridlock. The outcome of this resolution will depend on its reception in the House and subsequent actions by state legislatures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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