Constitution

The Committee on the Judiciary plays an important role in protecting people’s constitutional rights and—when the Constitution falls short of its promise “to form a more perfect Union”—in amending the Constitution. In the 116^th Congress, the Committee passed a resolution to revoke the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and held hearings on state efforts to curb people’s constitutional right to an abortion, the lasting negative impact of Citizens United on our campaign finance system, the constitutional role of the pardon power, and opportunities to reform presidential clemency. The Committee also filed several lawsuits to uphold its constitutional authority to conduct oversight of the executive branch. In the 117^th Congress, the Committee will continue to build on these accomplishments and further the Constitution’s promise of a more perfect Union.