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House narrowly approves resolution urging congressional term limits
Summary
The Utah House passed HJR18, a narrowly written Article V resolution to seek limits on terms in the U.S. Congress, by a 38–37 vote March 7. Supporters framed it as a targeted measure; opponents warned an Article V convention cannot be reliably confined to a single subject.
The Utah House of Representatives adopted HJR18, a narrowly focused Article V resolution urging congressional term limits, on March 7 after close floor debate and a 38–37 roll-call vote.
The sponsor (identified in the transcript as Representative D.) said the measure was deliberately limited to a single issue: establishing a constitutional limit on the number of terms a person may serve in the U.S. House and Senate. "This is narrowly focused," the sponsor told colleagues, arguing the resolution was a way for states to send a clear signal on term limits.
Opponents said the proposal carried risks. Representative Draxler said the history of Article V applications shows they are difficult to confine. "I think it is evidence that there is no way to confine an Article V convention to one issue," he said on the floor, explaining his opposition.
Other members raised process and policy concerns. Representative Christiansen urged colleagues to "drill down and consider [proposals] in-depth" before adopting constitutional changes; Representative Chu said she had moved from earlier support to opposition after speaking with colleagues in other states, warning against empowering lobbyists by removing electoral safeguards.
Supporters stressed the perceived democratic need for rotation in office and noted high incumbent reelection rates. Representative Hawkes said the issue "makes a lot of sense" for federal offices and pointed to examples of long-tenured members of Congress.
After debate the House invoked the previous question to end debate and then adopted the resolution by a single-vote margin. The resolution will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
The measure is advisory and expresses the legislature's view through the Article V convention mechanism; it does not itself change federal law.
