Florida governor, Ohio lawmaker press states-led path to congressional term limits

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Ohio Representative Workman outlined a states-led strategy to pursue congressional term limits during a Message from the House podcast episode.

DeSantis said states should use their Article V authority to push for limits because "Congress is not going to want to term limit themselves," adding that "the best way is for the states to use its power under the Constitution to propose amendments." He framed the idea as broadly popular, saying it "resonates with the public." Representative Workman described House Joint Resolution 3 (HJR3) as Ohio's vehicle to join other states calling for an Article V convention that could propose term-limit amendments.

Workman said HJR3 is intended to put pressure on Congress as states approach the 34-state threshold that would trigger an Article V convention. He explained the two-step process discussed in the episode: a convention can be called when a sufficient number of states petition for one, but any amendment emerging from a convention would ultimately require ratification by three-fourths of the states (38 states) to take effect.

On the podcast, the guests repeatedly linked term limits to broader fiscal concerns. DeSantis characterized the current federal fiscal situation as dire and argued that shorter tenures would change legislators' incentives: "If you say, you know what, I only have a limited number of terms, I think then your incentive is actually to do something with that and say that you were able to help better the country." Representative Workman said the measure already has early momentum in committee and credited national groups, including US Term Limits, for grassroots organizing in multiple states.

The episode included several factual claims and figures presented by the speakers: the hosts and guests referred to public-opinion numbers (speakers cited "over 80%" support), the constitutional thresholds tied to the Article V process (the 34-state call and 38-state ratification requirement), and fiscal figures referenced by the governor (a figure described as a "$36 trillion national debt"). These figures were presented as claims or context by participants in the conversation and were not independently verified during the podcast.

Representative Workman said he introduced HJR3 recently and that Ohio could become another state in a movement that he said has added multiple states in the past two years. The episode did not record any committee or floor vote on HJR3; the resolution was discussed as an item in early-stage consideration.

The podcast concluded with hosts directing listeners to the Ohio House GOP Caucus social channels for more information and encouraging subscription to the podcast.

The next procedural step mentioned on the episode: HJR3 is in early committee stages; no vote outcome was reported during the recorded conversation.