The U.S. Term Limits Congressional Term Limits Convention call is unlike any other in that it will compel Congress to preempt, grandfather themselves in, and report out the term limits amendment. It’s unique as Congress will not allow state legislators to rein in their power. They know the delegates to a term limits convention would be state lawmakers looking to move up to Capitol Hill, so Congress will preempt by proposing an amendment on their own terms and not the terms proposed by the states.
Furthermore, in the 248-year history of the United States, no Article V convention has ever occurred. Every time the states come close to triggering one, Congress steps in and acts. The 17th Amendment, which established the direct election of senators, is one of the clearest examples. It started with state efforts to call a convention, but Congress, recognizing the growing pressure, preemptively proposed the amendment. Similar state-driven efforts helped spur Congress to propose the repeal of prohibition and establishment of presidential term limits.
The pattern is unmistakable: when states act decisively, Congress responds. As more states pass the Congressional Term Limits resolution, Congress will feel the growing pressure. They’ll see the possibility of a convention as a real threat—one that could impose term limits without grandfathering current members—and will have no choice but to move first in order to retain control over the outcome.
In 2025 alone, three states have adopted our resolution, underscoring the growing bipartisan momentum for term limits. With overwhelming public support (86% of Democrats and 90% of Republicans, according to Pew), this issue transcends party lines. Americans are united in their demand for meaningful reform in Congress.
