For immediate release
January 20, 2026
Contact: Scott Tillman, U.S. Term Limits
press@termlimits.com
Sen. Jerry Stevenson Files Congressional Term Limits Resolution in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Senator Jerry Stevenson has filed Senate Joint Resolution 4 (SJR4) to add Utah to the growing list of states applying to propose a congressional term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The effort is being spearheaded by the nonpartisan, nonprofit, U.S. Term Limits (USTL).
Like similar efforts across the country, SJR4 makes it clear to Congress that if they fail to act, Utah and its fellow states will use their authority under Article V of the Constitution to propose the amendment themselves. Historically, this effort forces Congress to pre-empt the states by proposing the amendment itself.
“The era of the permanent political class must come to an end,” said Philip Blumel, President of U.S. Term Limits. “Through SJR4, Utah is joining a national movement to ensure that public service is a temporary calling, not a career. It is time to restore the citizen-legislator roots of our democracy.”
SJR4 enters the 2026 session with a strong foundation of support. Proponents highlight that term limits remain a rare “bridge” issue in a divided political climate. A large majority (85%) of Utah voters approve of placing term limits on Congress. 83% of voters favor having Utah call for an amendment proposing convention to enact congressional term limits.
Prominent leaders from across the aisle have echoed these sentiments. Former President Barack Obama has noted that term limits are a “really useful thing” to ensure “new voices and new ideas emerge”. Similarly, Governor Ron DeSantis, a former member of Congress, is a vehement advocate in support of congressional term limits.
The resolution is expected be assigned to the Senate Judiciary committee for a vote before moving to the floor. Once the resolution passes both chambers of the state legislature, Utah will officially join the growing list of states calling for a convention for the exclusive purpose of proposing term limits on the U.S. Congress.
Once 34 state legislatures pass similar resolutions and approve the term limits amendment language, the measure must be ratified by 38 states to become part of the U.S. Constitution.
View SJR4 on the state legislature site.
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U.S. Term Limits is the largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization advocating solely on term limits. Our mission is to improve the quality of government with a citizen legislature that closely reflects its constituency and is responsive to the needs of the people it serves. USTL does not require a self-limit on individuals. Our aim is to limit the terms of all members of Congress as an institution. Find out more at termlimits.org.
