Bill · H.J.Res. 4· House(119-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.
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 1/3/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Brian Fitzpatrick
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. It aims to change how the Senate handles debate on pending legislation. Under this proposal, debate on a measure or motion cannot be closed without specific requirements. These requirements include laws in effect on January 3, 2025, unanimous consent, or the agreement of at least three-fifths of the Senators. This rule would not apply to Presidential nominations.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The requirement for a three-fifths majority may ensure more prolonged debate and visible discussion on pending legislation.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-2
The bill centralizes power by making it harder for a simple majority to pass legislation through the closure of debate.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Established debate requirements: The bill allows for debate to be brought to a close through unanimous consent or laws in effect on January s, 2025, which provides specific methods for ending discussion (Article--).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- New threshold for ending debate: The bill requires a minimum of three-fifths of the Senators to agree before debate on a measure or motion can be closed, which is an exception to current methods (Article--).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power-2
- 11/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Jared GoldenDemocrat · Maine
Adam GrayDemocrat · California
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York