Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the duration of authorizations of the use of force.

Tom Barrett

Republican · MI · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Jared F. Golden (D-ME-2)Original· 2026-04-22

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

2026-04-22

Source: Congress.gov

This proposed constitutional amendment would require Congress to renew its approval for military operations every few years rather than allowing a single authorization to last indefinitely. Currently, the military can operate under decades-old congressional approvals, but this change would force lawmakers to regularly vote on whether to continue specific military missions. The amendment would affect military personnel, defense policy, and Congress's power to control when and how the U.S. military fights overseas.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.J. Res. 159 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. J. RES. 159 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the duration of authorizations of the use of force. _______________________________________________________________________ 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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