Numerous Attempts Have Been Made To Repeal the 22nd Amendment
In 1951, three quarters of the states ratified the 22nd Amendment, four years after it passed Congress.
The 22nd Amendment, which was passed by Congress shortly a few years after the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, limited the number of terms that a President could serve.
Prior to the 22nd Amendment, there were no term limits on Presidents.
After the 22nd Amendment was ratified, a President could serve no more than two terms in the White House.
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There have been numerous attempts to repeal the 22nd Amendment over the years, though nothing has come of it.
Talk has increased in recent months of possibly trying to repeal the 22nd Amendment again.
In 1986, while President Ronald Reagan was near the height of his popularity, Rep. Guy Vander Jagt proposed legislation that would allow a President to seek a third term in office.
Vander Jagt would propose legislation completely removing term limits on Presidents in 1987, 1989 and 1991 (all while Republican Presidents were sitting in the White House), though nothing came of the proposals.
Rep. Michael McNulty, a Democrat, would propose legislation removing term limits on the President in 1993, 1995 and 1997 - three years in which Bill Clinton was occupying the White House.
Rep. Barney Frank, a Democrat, would propose the removal of term limits on the President in 1995, 1997 and 1999 - all years in which President Clinton occupied the White House.
Rep. Steny Hoyer, a Democrat, proposed the removal of term limits in 1997 (Clinton) and 2005 (Bush).
Rep. Jose Serrano, a Democrat from New York, REALLY didn't like the 22nd Amendment, as he tried to have it repealed nine times - five times when a Democrat was in the White House, and four times when a Republican was in the White House.
Senator Harry Reid, a Democrat, proposed the repealing of the 22nd Amendment in 1989 (George H. W. Bush).
Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican, proposed to repeal the 22nd Amendment in 1995 (Bill Clinton).
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Members from both parties have attempt to repeal the 22nd Amendment over the years, but nothing much has come of it.
If a popular President is nearing the end of their second term in office, the other party will almost certainly never vote to repeal the 22nd Amendment, as they don't want to give the other party the advantage.
Even if a bill to repeal the 22nd Amendment did make it through Congress, three quarters of states would have to agree as well, which would be a very tall task.
Filed under: General Knowledge