A Concurrent Resolution calling for a convention under Article V of the Constitution of the United States to consider amendments that limit the number of terms that members of Congress may serve.
Summary
House Resolution 111 is a concurrent resolution by the Pennsylvania General Assembly that would formally apply to Congress under Article V of the U.S. Constitution for the calling of a limited constitutional convention. The convention would be restricted to considering amendments imposing term limits on members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The resolution states that Pennsylvania’s application is intended to be part of a broader multi-state effort and that it should be counted only with other states’ applications on the same subject.
The resolution also directs the Secretary of the Commonwealth to send copies of the application to federal congressional leaders, Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation, and the presiding officers of other state legislatures. It further declares that the application is a continuing one until two-thirds of the states have made similar applications, and that it may not be combined with applications on unrelated topics. As drafted, the measure does not itself change Pennsylvania election law or impose term limits directly; instead, it seeks to trigger the federal constitutional amendment process.
Impact
HR111 would not directly alter Pennsylvania statutes governing elections, legislative service, or qualifications for office. Its legal effect is procedural and interstate: it authorizes Pennsylvania to join an Article V application campaign and asks Congress to call a convention limited to proposing a federal constitutional amendment on congressional term limits. Any actual term-limit rule would require a constitutional amendment proposed through that process and ratified by three-fourths of the states, so the resolution’s immediate impact is on Pennsylvania’s formal position in the federal amendment process rather than on state law or officeholder eligibility.
Sentiment
Based on the text and available context, the resolution appears to be presented in a bipartisan or at least institutionally framed manner, emphasizing state authority, cooperation with other states, and a limited subject matter. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to indicate broader support or opposition. The language suggests the sponsors view the measure as a way to advance a popular reform while preserving Pennsylvania’s ability to reject any eventual convention proposal.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the use of an Article V convention, which some lawmakers and observers view as a risky or uncertain mechanism because of concerns about convention scope, delegate control, and the possibility of broader constitutional changes. Supporters of the resolution emphasize that the convention would be limited to term limits and that Pennsylvania would not be committing to ratify any resulting amendment. Opponents of convention-based approaches may argue that Congress should address term limits through ordinary legislation or that a convention could exceed its intended subject matter, even though the resolution attempts to cabin the convention to a single issue.
A Concurrent Resolution calling for a convention under Article V of the Constitution of the United States to consider amendments that limit the number of terms that members of Congress may serve and establish and limit the terms of office for United States Supreme Court Justices.
A Concurrent Resolution calling for a convention under Article V of the Constitution of the United States to consider amendments to establish a process by which the appointment of United States Supreme Court Justices can occur at regular time intervals and limit how long a Justice may serve on the Court.
JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING SEPARATE APPLICATIONS TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES CALLING ARTICLE V CONVENTIONS TO PROPOSE AMENDMENTS ESTABLISHING TERM LIMITS FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND TERM LIMITS FOR JUSTICES OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
A Concurrent Resolution petitioning the Congress of the United States to call a Convention for proposing amendments pursuant to Article V of the Constitution of the United States limited to proposing amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the Federal Government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the Federal Government and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.
A Concurrent Resolution petitioning the Congress of the United States to call a Convention for proposing amendments pursuant to Article V of the Constitution of the United States limited to proposing amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the Federal Government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the Federal Government and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.