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House debate on SJR 21 sees failed amendment on nonpartisan redistricting; floor also hears proposal to add reproductive-health language
Summary
Members debated amendments to Senate Joint Resolution 21, a proposed call for a constitutional convention. An amendment to add nonpartisan redistricting failed on a roll call; another amendment to add reproductive-health protections was offered on the floor and debated in personal terms.
The Indiana House took up Senate Joint Resolution 21, a proposal requesting Congress call a constitutional convention, and considered floor amendments that would add topics for such a convention.
Representative Pierce introduced an amendment that would add a requirement for nonpartisan congressional redistricting were a convention to be called. Pierce argued the change would make members of Congress more accountable by removing partisan skew from district maps and urged adoption.
Opponents said SJR 21 should remain a single-topic resolution to make it easier to gain passage in other states; they argued adding multiple subjects would complicate aggregation with other single-topic resolutions. After debate, the amendment to add nonpartisan redistricting failed on a roll call, 26 ayes to 59 noes.
Representative Hamilton later offered an amendment to add language directing a convention to consider restoring comprehensive reproductive-health care protections (as described in Roe v. Wade). Hamilton framed the amendment as responding to constituents and recounted a constituent’s personal account of medical hardship under current state law, citing a May 2024 poll that he said showed 64% of Hoosiers believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Hamilton said the proposed amendment would offer a path to protect families and health care access.
Opponents of Hamilton’s amendment again argued the resolution should remain single-topic so it could be aggregated with similar resolutions in other states; they urged members to vote against adding additional topics. The transcript excerpt does not include a roll-call result for Hamilton’s amendment.
Why it matters: SJR 21 would ask Congress to convene a constitutional convention; adding substantive topics to a convention resolution can shape the scope of any intergovernmental conversation or multi-state campaign to call a convention.
Votes and outcome: The House voted on the Pierce amendment (nonpartisan redistricting); the motion to adopt the amendment failed, 26–59. The transcript records debate on Hamilton’s amendment (reproductive-health protections) but does not record the outcome within the provided excerpt.
Ending: The House proceeded to other business after the recorded debates; the transcript does not show final disposition of SJR 21 within the excerpt.
