INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – There is an ongoing national initiative aimed at implementing term limits for members of Congress across the United States.
State Senator Andy Zay (R-District 17), representing Grant, Huntington, and Wabash counties, is actively encouraging Indiana to participate in this movement.
Implementing term limits would necessitate an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which can be accomplished through two distinct methods, as explained by legal experts.
“One way is for Congress to propose an amendment that must then be ratified by the states,” noted Gerard Magliocca from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law.
The first method is generally seen as less favorable since it requires Congress to suggest a change that would limit their own tenures.
The second, more widely supported option circumvents this potential conflict of interest by requiring at least 34 state legislatures to agree on initiating a Constitutional Convention.
“This would represent the first Constitutional Convention in the United States since the original one in 1787, which established our Constitution,” Magliocca added.
Senator Zay is advocating for Indiana to support this second approach.
“This is a significant undertaking, and we are still in the early stages. Currently, we estimate about 10 to 12 states are on board, with many others considering it,” Zay stated. “Securing commitments from 12 states is achievable; however, reaching the necessary 30 for a two-thirds majority is much more challenging.”
Opponents of term limits argue that stability within Congress is essential.
“Having individuals serve for 40 or 50 years can exceed what we consider stability,” Zay remarked.