All articles tagged with #constitutional amendment
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Republicans are considering legislative or constitutional fixes to birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court shielded the policy from Trump's order, but chances of real change this year are slim given razor-thin majorities and the hurdles to passing an amendment or new law; the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 exists but would struggle to clear the Senate amid GOP infighting.
Following the Supreme Court's birthright citizenship ruling, Justice Kavanaugh wrote a concurring opinion suggesting Congress could curb birthright through federal law (not a constitutional change), outlining a pathway to amend the Citizenship Clause or related statutes. Republicans including Johnson, Paul, Lee and Cotton are pushing for amendments or legislation, while the DOJ shifts tactics to curb birth tourism and the debate over how to narrow birthright citizenship continues.
After the Supreme Court preserved birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment, President Trump urged Congress to end it with legislation, claiming a constitutional amendment isn’t necessary. Legal scholars—and several Republican supporters—say the majority opinion effectively bars changing the rule by statute; Justice Kavanaugh’s concurrence suggested a possible legislative workaround, but the consensus is that only a constitutional amendment or a future court reversal could alter birthright citizenship. Some lawmakers discuss targeted immigration/birth-tourism measures, but those would face constitutional challenges if they conflict with the Court’s interpretation. In short, current law grants birthright citizenship broadly, and changing that would require a constitutional amendment or a future shift in jurisprudence.
A Missouri judge ruled that state abortion restrictions violate a voter-approved constitutional amendment, potentially expanding access; the attorney general plans to appeal, and abortion is poised to be on November’s ballot to undo the amendment, highlighting ongoing debates over reproductive rights as Missourians have often traveled to neighboring states for abortion services.
Zimbabwe’s National Assembly approved Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3 to replace direct presidential elections with a joint sitting of Parliament, sending it to the Senate for a two-thirds vote. Supporters argue it could deliver policy continuity and accelerate development, while opponents warn it would weaken democratic accountability and bolster ZANU-PF’s grip, potentially extending Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond 2028. Allegations of intimidation during consultations and bribery of MPs have added to concerns, and legal challenges are already underway as the bill advances.
Zimbabwe’s lower house approved a bill to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two years, raise elected terms to seven years, and replace direct presidential elections with a parliamentary vote, potentially keeping Mnangagwa in power until 2030 and delaying the 2028 elections; the reform, seen as reshaping institutions around Zanu-PF, faces opposition from liberation veterans and activists who warn it risks a one-party state, while the government argues the changes align electoral cycles and improve governance.
Norway’s parliament is weighing a constitutional amendment to let Princess Ingrid Alexandra serve as regent if both the king and heir are unable to rule, a move aimed at preventing a potential leadership gap. The proposal would exclude Prince Sverre Magnus and requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority; a November vote could set Ingrid on a path toward the throne. Critics say the change is narrowly tailored to current circumstances and may not address future succession, while supporters see it as prudent preparation for the monarchy’s continuity.
Hungary's parliament approved a retroactive constitutional amendment establishing an eight-year limit for prime ministers, effectively preventing Viktor Orbán from returning to power; the measure, pushed by PM Péter Magyar with a two-thirds majority, also aims to dismantle some power structures tied to Orbán's regime, though questions remain about retroactivity and the fate of related state offices and foundations.
Thousands of Southern Baptists at the annual convention voted to advance a constitutional amendment that would bar churches that appoint or endorse women as pastors from convention membership; the measure passed 6,028–2,026 and must reach a two-thirds vote next year to become part of the SBC constitution, with the denomination able to expel noncompliant churches such as Saddleback Church; the meeting also elected Willy Rice as president and approved resolutions on immigration and antisemitic violence.
St. Johns County officials warn the state's proposed property tax overhaul could cut about $113 million in local revenue by 2029, potentially leaving only a sliver of funding for parks and roads after funding for sheriff and fire departments. The amendment would raise non-school homestead exemptions to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, reduce how much assessments can rise, and limit ad valorem revenue use to core services, with a 60% voter approval threshold in November.
Democratic New York lawmakers are weighing several state constitutional amendments to overhaul the redistricting process, aiming to keep options open as the session ends June 4 and the June 23 primary approaches. They may pass multiple versions for a second passage next year, with any change requiring voter referendum. Proposals range from minor tweaks to potentially scrapping the map-drawing commission entirely, while Republicans push for independent redistricting in line with broader national debates after a Virginia court ruling.
Virginia’s Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, struck down Democrats’ new congressional map after ruling the constitutional amendment to temporarily redraw districts violated timing rules; the majority defined “election” to include the early voting period, meaning more than 1.3 million votes had already been cast when lawmakers approved the amendment, invalidating the April referendum. The dissent argued the term should be read as Election Day. The ruling is part of a broader national redistricting fight and could invite further challenge at higher courts, with midterm implications.
Virginia’s Supreme Court heard arguments on whether a constitutional amendment voters approved to allow a more Democratic‑leaning redistricting map is legally valid, with Republicans arguing the amendment was not properly timed and Democrats insisting Election Day marks the cutoff; the court has not ruled on merits after allowing a special election, and the outcome could shape whether Democrats secure a 10 of 11 congressional seats in the state.
Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh won a sixth term with 97.8% of the vote after a largely opposition-boycotted election; his sole challenger received 2.19%. The race followed a constitutional amendment removing the upper age limit for presidential candidates, extending Guelleh’s 27-year hold on power in a strategically important country that hosts foreign military bases and sits near the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
Democrats in Virginia quickly appealed a state court injunction blocking their plan to amend the state constitution to redraw the congressional map, a move that could have delivered up to four additional Democratic seats. Judge Jack S. Hurley Jr. ruled the special session used to advance the amendment exceeded its scope and that the constitution requires an intervening election after first passage, noting the bill was voted on after early voting began for 2025 races. Democrats call the ruling a product of court-shopping and say they will seek to place the amendment before voters in April if the appeal succeeds; the state Court of Appeals will hear the case. The injunction effectively nullifies the General Assembly’s Oct. 31, 2025 vote to amend the constitution.