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H.J. Res. 16 105th Congress House

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for four-year terms for Representatives and to limit the number of consecutive terms Senators and Representatives may serve.

Introduced: January 7, 1997 See on congress.gov
Congress Congressional electionsCongressional terms of officeConstitutional amendmentsGovernment Operations and Politics
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 5, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Jan 7, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 7, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 5, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment - Establishes a four-year term of office for Representatives. Requires the election of Representatives to be held on the same day as the election of the President. Limits Representatives to three consecutive terms in office. Restores eligibility for subsequent election after an absence from the House of four consecutive years.

Limits Senators to two consecutive terms in office. Restores eligibility for subsequent election after an absence from the Senate of four consecutive years.

Provides that Representatives who have served two years of a term and Senators who have served three years of a term are deemed to have served a full term.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 16: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for four-year terms for Representatives and to limit the number of consecutive terms Senators and Representatives may serve.. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HJRES-16/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 16: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for four-year terms for Representatives and to limit the number of consecutive terms Senators and Representatives may serve.." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HJRES-16/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 16, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HJRES-16/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 16: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for four-year terms for Representatives and to limit the number of consecutive terms Senators and Representatives may serve.](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HJRES-16/)
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