hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Limits military force authorizations to five years unless war is declared.
Representatives Barrett and Golden of Maine (D-ME)
Introduced in House, referred to Judiciary Committee
This bill proposes a Constitutional amendment that would automatically terminate any Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) after five years. This time limit applies unless Congress explicitly sets an earlier termination date or formally declares war. The bill was introduced by Representatives Barrett and Golden (D-ME) in the House during a future 119th Congress and has been sent to the Committee on the Judiciary for review.
Introduced Apr 22, 2026
This bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. For this proposed Constitutional amendment to become part of the Constitution, it would need to pass both the House and Senate with a two-thirds vote, and then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures within seven years.
If this amendment were to pass, any new Congressional approval for using military force (without a formal declaration of war) would automatically end after five years. This means the government would need to periodically reassess and renew these authorizations, potentially shifting oversight back to Congress. Presidents would no longer have indefinite authority for military actions based on older authorizations, requiring them to seek new approval or end operations.
Supporters Say
Supporters say it restores Congress's war powers and prevents endless conflicts.
Critics Say
Critics worry it could limit a President's ability to protect national security.
Supporters of such an amendment often argue it would ensure Congress, not just the President, has ultimate control over military engagements, helping to prevent "forever wars" by forcing regular accountability. Opponents might counter that it could undermine the President's role as Commander-in-Chief, potentially handcuffing military responses to evolving global threats and creating instability for ongoing missions.