Rumor: Proposal to Allow Obama to Serve a Third Term?

Social media lit up this week with reports that a proposal has been made in Congress that would allow President Obama to seek a third term. Is there any truth to this rumor?

Yes, but it has little chance of passing and similar bills are introduced almost every year.

The proposed legislation in question is H. J. RES. 15, by José Serrano of New York. The bill would add the following article to the Constitution:

‘The twenty-second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.’

Eighth Attempt
While this has some opponents of President Obama up in arms, it should be noted that this is the eighth time that Rep. Serrano has proposed to repeal the 22nd Amendent, four of those coming during the administration of George W. Bush.

Little Chance
A new Constitutional Amendment must be ratified in order to repeal a previous amendment. An amendment first must be proposed by either by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, or two-thirds of state legislatures. After the proposal, the amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states (by one of two methods).

As of this writing, more than half of the state legislatures (27) are Republican,  which means there is virtually no chance such an amendment would be ratified while a Democrat occupies the White House.

Social Media
A photo of President Obama, digitally manipulated to look like Satan, has been included with a link to the bill and includes the following caption:

BILL TO REMOVE THE TERM LIMIT FOR PRESIDENT HAS JUST BEEN FILED… WE ARE ONE BABY STEP AWAY FROM DICTATORSHIP AND IT WILL HAVE BEEN DONE LEGALLY, JUST LIKE CHANCELLOR HITLER….SHARE AND ACT AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT, BECAUSE IT MOST ASSUREDLY DOES. THIS IS NOT ABOUT LEFT OR RIGHT IT IS ABOUT RIGHT AND WRONG.

Ronald Reagan
It should be noted that Ronald Reagan spoke out many times in favor of repealing the 22nd Amendment.

• “I’m going to see if I can’t mobilize the people to demand the repeal of that Amendment.” – in 1989
• ”I would like to start a movement to eliminate the constitutional amendment that was passed a few years ago that limits a President to two terms. Now I say I wouldn’t do that for myself, but for Presidents from here on.” – in 1987.
• “…if the people want to elect a President for a third term they should be allowed to do so.” in 1985 (The Vindicator, Sept. 15, 1985, page A-8)

 

The debate over gun control in the wake of recent mass shootings has heated up in recent months, and some are attempting to tie this proposed amendment into the mix.

Bottom Line
The country is far too divided for any such controversial Constitutional amendment to become reality. There is nothing to see here because this will not happen in the foreseeable future.

Your Opinion
What do you think of the attempts at repealing the 22nd Amendment? Let us hear from you in the comments below.

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