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Kansas House rejects application to call Article V convention for federal term limits
Summary
After several hours of debate over a resolution urging Congress to call an Article V convention to propose federal term limits, the Kansas House voted but fell short of the two‑thirds constitutional majority required for amendment calls, defeating HCR 5001.
TOPEKA — The Kansas House on Wednesday debated and then rejected a resolution asking Congress to call an Article V convention limited to proposing term limits for members of Congress.
Representative Michael Sanders, the bill’s carrier, urged colleagues to view the measure as a pressure tool on Congress. “There is no way there is ever gonna be a convention of states called for limiting terms,” Sanders said at the well, “so why even bother? The reason to bother with it is to apply pressure to Congress.”
The resolution, HCR 5001, would have directed the state to apply to Congress to call a convention to propose a federal constitutional amendment establishing term limits. Proponents told the House the move could force federal action or spur negotiations in Congress; opponents warned the Article V process is uncertain and could expose the federal Constitution to unanticipated changes.
Supporters argued the current federal system favors incumbents and special interests. Sanders cited data he said show incumbents regularly win, and he said popular polling in Kansas indicates strong support for term limits. Representative Simmons said campaign‑finance rulings have helped create a “gerontocracy” in Congress and urged lawmakers to support the resolution as a corrective.
Opponents focused on the mechanics and risks of a convention of states. Representative Gardner argued the Constitution’s Article V does not limit a convention to a single amendment and said a convention’s rules and scope could be unclear, citing historical cautions about convention risks. Representative Carmichael warned the administrative state and lobbyists could gain influence if term limits were too brief.
The House voted on final action after committee and floor consideration. The roll call showed 81 members voted in favor and 43 opposed. Under Kansas precedent the House must record whether a two‑thirds or other constitutionally mandated threshold is met for a measure that would apply to Congress. The tally did not meet the required constitutional threshold for an Article V application and the presiding officer declared HCR 5001 lost.
What happened next: the vote keeps Kansas from joining other states that have applied for an Article V convention on term limits, but the debate reflected continuing interest among some state lawmakers in pressing Congress to address federal office tenure.
Votes at a glance: HCR 5001 — Motion to apply to Congress for a limited Article V convention on term limits; floor vote 81 yes, 43 no; outcome: failed (did not reach required constitutional threshold).
Context: Article V of the U.S. Constitution provides two methods to propose amendments — either Congress proposes an amendment or two‑thirds of state legislatures apply for a convention of states. Supporters of HCR 5001 said the measure’s intent was to trigger federal action or negotiations rather than to guarantee an actual convention. Opponents warned a convention’s scope and rules are uncertain and could produce broader changes than proponents intend.
