PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — Two resolutions calling for a Convention of the States to consider federal terms limits or restrictions on federal spending and overreach go to defeat before a House committee this morning (Wednesday).
The House State Affairs killed two resolutions–HJR 5002, which called for a Convention of States for Congressional term limits–and HJR 5005, which would include a convention on terms limits and federal government powers.
HJR 5002 and 5005 lost on 2 to 9 votes, which sent the measures to the 41st legislative day, effectively defeating them.
Republican Rep. Greg Jamison of Sioux Falls, the sponsor of the HJR 5002, rankled Democratic Rep. Oren Lesmeister of Parade by saying key Republicans supported congressional term limits and top Democrats did not.
Rep. Lesmeister said he had planned to vote for the resolution before Rep. Jamison turned it into a partisan matter.
Other resolution supporters said support for congressional term limits is significant and bipartisan.
They also pointed to Congress’s historically low approval rating of 7%.
Supporters also said incumbents have over a 95% chance of remaining in office during an election.
Those in favor also said the resolutions were needed because Congress appears unable or unwilling to take on the federal deficit.
Opponents said the biggest problem with the resolutions was that no one could restrict a Convention of States to just one issue.
They say the process was last used in 1787 when what was going to be an amendment of the Articles of Confederation turned into the current Constitution.
Opponents warn of the process going out of control, no matter what “guardrails” the state legislature puts in place.
A resolution similar to HCR 5005 passed the House last year but was defeated in the Senate.
