119 HJ 159 IH: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the duration of authorizations of the use of force. U.S. House of Representatives 2026-04-22 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IA119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. J. RES. 159IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 22, 2026Mr. Barrett (for himself and Mr. Golden of Maine) submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryJOINT RESOLUTIONProposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the duration of authorizations of the use of force.

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: —

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.

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