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Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the duration of authorizations of the use of force.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the duration of authorizations of the use of force.
Summary
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would impose an automatic five-year expiration date on Congressional authorizations for the use of military force outside the United States when such authorizations are not declarations of war. Once ratified by three-fourths of the states, the amendment would apply to all military force authorizations enacted after its ratification. The authorization would cease to have effect on whichever comes first: five years after the authorization is enacted, or any earlier termination date specified in the authorization itself. The amendment requires ratification by state legislatures within seven years to take effect.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7] (R-MI)
1 cosponsor
Actions (2)
- Apr 22, 2026 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. · house
- Apr 22, 2026 Introduced in House
Similar bills (6)
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Text versions (1)
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Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 22, 2026
Mr. Barrett (for himself and Mr. Golden of Maine) submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the duration of authorizations of the use of force.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:
“Article—
“An Act of Congress enacted after the date of the ratification of this article that authorizes the use of military force by the United States outside of the United States, and with respect to which there is not in effect a declaration of war enacted by Congress, shall cease to have effect on the earlier of the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of such Act or the date of termination of such authorization provided for in such Act.”. <all>
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