The Scope of the Bayh Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments

My next book project is on the Senate Subcommittee that produced the 25th Amendment, the 26th Amendment, the ERA, and other constitutional proposals in the 1960s and 1970s. Before putting that institution into context, I want to start by highlighting some of the lesser-known reforms that the Subcommittee explored.

1. In 1966, LBJ proposed in his State of the Union that the Constitution be amended to change House terms to 4 years. A hearing was held on this proposal. Did the idea  get any traction? No. Was the hearing interesting to read? Definitely.
2. Critics of the Warren and Burger Courts proposed constitutional amendments to overturn Reynolds v. Sims, Engel v. Vitale, and Roe v. Wade. Did those proposals get out of committee? No. Did they offer powerful insights into the relevant arguments? Certainly.

Other hearing topics included: (1) a single six-year term for the President: (2) a federal initiative procedure; (3) legislation on organizing any future Article V constitutional convention; (4) changing the tenure of Article III judges to eight years before requiring Senate reconfirmation; (5) a Balanced Budget Amendment; (6) abolishing the Electoral College; and (7) giving DC full congressional representation. More on this tomorrow.