Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the pardon power of the President.

Sponsor: Johnny Olszewski (Democratic-MD)December 18, 2025

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Lets Congress block presidential pardons with a two-thirds vote.

This bill would change the Constitution to let Congress stop a President's pardon or reprieve. Currently, the President can issue pardons without Congress being able to overturn them. If passed, the President would have to tell Congress about any pardon within 3 days, and Congress could then vote to cancel it.

What Would Change

Today, the President can issue pardons without Congress being able to overturn them. If this bill passes, the President would have to notify Congress within 3 days of granting a pardon, and Congress could then vote to nullify the pardon with a two-thirds vote within 60 days. If the President fails to notify Congress, the pardon would have no effect.

Key Provisions

Requires the President to tell Congress about any pardon or reprieve within 3 days.
Lets Congress introduce a bill to cancel a pardon within 30 days of being notified.
Ensures a vote on any bill to cancel a pardon if signed by 20 Representatives or 5 Senators.
Allows Congress to cancel a pardon with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate within 60 days.
Makes a pardon invalid if the President does not tell Congress about it within 3 days.
Blocks the President from granting a pardon for an offense that Congress already canceled.

View on Congress.gov

HJRES 135 · 119th Congress · December 18, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 8/10

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the pardon power of the President.

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity