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 e . . .stablish and limit the terms of office for United States Supreme Court Justices.
Summary
House Resolution 21 is a concurrent resolution that would have Pennsylvania apply for an Article V convention of the U.S. Constitution. The resolution seeks two separate convention applications: one to propose a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, and another to propose an amendment establishing regular appointment intervals and term limits for U.S. Supreme Court Justices. The measure states that each application is intended to stand on its own, aggregate only with similar applications from other states on the same subject, and remain a continuing application until the two-thirds threshold for calling a convention is met.
The resolution also directs the Secretary of State to transmit copies to federal officials and to the presiding officers of state legislatures nationwide. By its terms, the resolution does not itself change Pennsylvania law governing elections, congressional service, or judicial tenure; instead, it is a formal state request to Congress under Article V to initiate a limited constitutional convention on these topics. Any actual term limits or Supreme Court tenure changes would require a federal constitutional amendment and ratification by three-fourths of the states.
Impact
HR21 would affect Pennsylvania law only in the sense that it authorizes the Commonwealth to join an interstate Article V application process and to communicate that position to Congress and other states. It does not amend state statutes, create state-level term limits, or alter the selection or tenure of federal officeholders directly. Its practical legal effect is to add Pennsylvania to efforts seeking a convention on congressional term limits and Supreme Court term limits, potentially contributing to the two-thirds state threshold needed to compel Congress to call such a convention.
Sentiment
The bill text frames the resolution as bipartisan, complementary, and protective of the people’s rights, suggesting a reform-oriented and institutionally cautious tone. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no documented floor or committee debate to show division or support levels. Based on the language alone, the measure appears to be presented positively as a procedural step toward constitutional reform rather than as a partisan confrontation.
Contention
The main points of contention inherent in HR21 are the use of an Article V convention and the substance of the proposed amendments. Supporters are likely to favor congressional and judicial term limits as a check on entrenched power, while opponents may object to opening a constitutional convention, even a limited one, because of concerns about scope, precedent, or unintended consequences. The resolution itself tries to address those concerns by emphasizing that the applications are separate, limited to specific subjects, and not a commitment to ratify any resulting amendment.
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.
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 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.
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.
Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing an amendment to the constitution to limit the terms of office of members of Congress.