<P> Near the end of the 1944 campaign , Thomas Dewey announced support of an amendment that would limit future presidents to two terms . According to Dewey , `` four terms , or sixteen years ( which is what Roosevelt would have served had he lived until 1949 ) , is the most dangerous threat to our freedom ever proposed . '' The Republican - controlled 80th Congress approved a Joint resolution `` proposing an amendment to the Constitution relating to the terms of office of the president '' . in March 1947 ; it was signed by Speaker of the House Joseph W. Martin and acting President pro tempore of the Senate William F. Knowland . The ratification process for the 22nd Amendment was completed on February 27 , 1951 , 7003143900000000000 ♠ 3 years , 343 days after it was sent to the states . The new amendment 's 2 - term limit did not apply ( due to the grandfather clause in Section 1 ) to the incumbent president , Harry S. Truman . He remained eligible for election to more than two terms . </P>
<P> Near the end of the 1944 campaign , Thomas Dewey announced support of an amendment that would limit future presidents to two terms . According to Dewey , `` four terms , or sixteen years ( which is what Roosevelt would have served had he lived until 1949 ) , is the most dangerous threat to our freedom ever proposed . '' The Republican - controlled 80th Congress approved a Joint resolution `` proposing an amendment to the Constitution relating to the terms of office of the president '' . in March 1947 ; it was signed by Speaker of the House Joseph W. Martin and acting President pro tempore of the Senate William F. Knowland . The ratification process for the 22nd Amendment was completed on February 27 , 1951 , 7003143900000000000 ♠ 3 years , 343 days after it was sent to the states . The new amendment 's 2 - term limit did not apply ( due to the grandfather clause in Section 1 ) to the incumbent president , Harry S. Truman . He remained eligible for election to more than two terms . </P>
the constitutional amendment limiting the president to only two elected terms is the
the constitutional amendment limiting the president to only two elected terms is the
22nd Amendment
22nd Amendment