H.J.Res. 135 proposes a constitutional amendment that would significantly restrict the President's pardon power by requiring congressional approval. Under this proposal, the President would have to notify Congress within three days of granting any reprieve or pardon, after which Congress would have 30 days to introduce a bill to nullify it and 60 days to pass such a bill with a two-thirds majority in both chambers. If Congress does not pass a nullification bill within 60 days, the pardon becomes effective 90 days after the original notification. The amendment also stipulates that the President cannot re-pardon an offense that Congress has already nullified, and any pardon not properly reported to Congress within three days would be invalid. This measure would affect all presidential pardons and reprieve decisions going forward, fundamentally changing the executive branch's traditional authority by giving Congress the power to override presidential clemency decisions.
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