A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR A CONVENTION UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IN ORDER TO PROPOSE A CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS AMENDMENT.
Summary
H3008 is a concurrent resolution by the South Carolina General Assembly applying to Congress for an Article V convention limited to proposing a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. The resolution states that South Carolina’s application should be counted with similar applications from other states toward the two-thirds threshold needed to trigger a convention, and that it is intended as a continuing application until that threshold is reached.
The resolution also sets out a series of reservations and instructions about how such a convention should operate. It asserts that Congress’s role is ministerial, that states—not Congress—control delegate selection, that each state should have one vote, and that the convention must be limited to the subject of congressional term limits. It further declares that any effort to alter the Bill of Rights or the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, or Fifteenth Amendments is outside the scope of the application and voids the application if such topics are considered. The resolution recommends that any proposed amendment be ratified by state legislatures rather than by state ratifying conventions.
The bill’s impact would be on South Carolina’s formal position in the national Article V process rather than on the state code itself. If adopted, it would direct the Secretary of State to transmit the application to federal officials and other states, and it would add South Carolina to the set of states seeking a limited convention on congressional term limits. It does not itself change state statutes governing elections or legislative terms, but it could contribute to a multi-state effort to pressure Congress to call a convention and ultimately to propose a federal constitutional amendment.
The available vote history suggests the measure had meaningful support but also notable opposition. In the Senate, the resolution was adopted 29-14 after a 32-11 vote to take up the order of the day and a 43-2 vote to table an amendment. That pattern indicates the chamber was generally favorable to the resolution, while still reflecting a substantial minority opposed to the underlying concept of an Article V convention for term limits.
The main point of contention is the use of an Article V convention itself, which has long raised concerns about scope, control, and the possibility of a broader constitutional convention beyond the stated subject. Supporters appear to favor term limits and the resolution’s attempt to tightly limit the convention’s authority, while opponents likely object either to the term-limits amendment goal, the convention mechanism, or both. The resolution’s detailed safeguards against expansion beyond the stated topic reflect those underlying concerns.
Impact
If enacted, H3008 would not amend South Carolina statutes directly, but it would formally commit the state to seek a federal constitutional amendment through an Article V convention process. It directs state officials to transmit the application and positions South Carolina as part of a multi-state effort to compel Congress to call a convention limited to congressional term limits, while also asserting state control over delegates and limiting the convention’s scope.
Sentiment
The vote history indicates generally favorable sentiment toward the resolution in the Senate, with adoption by a 29-14 margin and strong support for tabling an amendment. At the same time, the size of the no votes shows that the measure was not unanimous and that there was significant concern about the Article V convention process and its implications.
Contention
The central contention is whether South Carolina should use an Article V convention to pursue congressional term limits. Supporters favor term limits and the resolution’s attempt to confine the convention to that single issue, while opponents are likely concerned about the risks of a convention, the possibility of scope creep, and the constitutional uncertainty surrounding delegate selection, voting rules, and Congress’s role. The resolution’s explicit exclusions for the Bill of Rights and Reconstruction Amendments underscore those concerns.
Applying to the United States Congress under Article V of the United States Constitution to call for a convention for proposing an amendment to the constitution establishing congressional term limits.
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.
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.
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 one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and 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 one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress.
Write the Laws ActThis bill prohibits an act of Congress from containing any delegation of legislative powers, whether to any component within the legislative branch, the President or any other member of the executive branch, the judicial branch, any agency or quasi-public agency, any state or state instrumentality, or any other organization or individual.The Government Accountability Office must identify to Congress all statutes enacted before the date that is 90 days after this bill's enactment that contain any delegation of legislative power.Any act of Congress, presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation that is enacted 90 days or more after this bill's enactment and is noncompliant with this bill shall have no force or effect.
Ratifying A Proposed Amendment To The Constitution Of The United States Giving The Congress Of The United States Power To Limit, Regulate, And Prohibit The Labor Of Persons Under Eighteen Years Of Age.