Bills · HJRES 141
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House Joint Res.HJRES 141Congress
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require the concurrence of two-thirds of both Houses of Congress for the admission of new States into the Union.
INTRO JAN 21· LAST ACTION JAN 21
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LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
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Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it proposes a significant change to how the United States grows and potentially alters the representation of millions of American citizens. If this amendment becomes law, it will be much harder for any future territory or region to achieve statehood, which could mean longer periods where American citizens in those areas lack full voting representation in Congress.
This matters for issues like democratic representation and self-determination. If the current rules remain, a simple majority could theoretically admit new states, which some argue allows for greater flexibility and responsiveness to the will of the people in territories seeking statehood. If this bill passes, it would empower a minority in Congress to block statehood, potentially stalling efforts for places like Puerto Rico or D.C. to gain equal footing with other states, and ensuring that any future expansion of the Union has very widespread political backing.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate for admitting new states into the Union.
This makes it significantly harder to admit new states compared to the current simple majority requirement, empowering a minority to block statehood.
PROVISION 02
Stipulates that the proposed amendment must be ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states to become part of the Constitution.
This outlines the standard, high bar for amending the U.S. Constitution, indicating the level of consensus needed for such a fundamental change.
PROVISION 03
Sets a seven-year deadline for the states to ratify the proposed amendment after its submission by Congress.
This ensures that the amendment does not remain in limbo indefinitely and must gain sufficient support within a defined timeframe.
PROVISION 04
Maintains existing constitutional prohibitions against forming new states within the jurisdiction of an existing state, or by combining parts of states, without consent from the involved state legislatures and Congress.
This provision clarifies that the proposed amendment primarily targets the vote threshold for admission, not the existing rules regarding state boundaries and formation.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Michigan
YRS IN OFFICE
1
BILLS LED
53
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 21
Introduced in House
JAN 21
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Joint Resolution
NumberHJRES 141
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 21, 2026
Last actionJan 21, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 21, 2026
House Joint Res.HJRES 141Congress
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require the concurrence of two-thirds of both Houses of Congress for the admission of new States into the Union.
INTRODUCED JAN 21, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 21, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
1 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
