The Georgia legislature introduced resolutions calling for a national convention to propose term limits on Congress. Once passed, Senate Joint Resolution (SR28) sponsored by Sen. Bill Cowsert and House Joint Resolution (HR39) introduced by Rep. Beth Camp would add Georgia to the growing list of states seeking to propose a congressional term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The effort is supported by the nonpartisan, nonprofit U.S. Term Limits (USTL).

According to Dr. John Cowan, chair of USTL efforts in Georgia, “The Constitution grants the states the authority to propose and ratify amendments.” He continued, “in a time when the Federal government will not act, the states must. More than 80% of Georgians agree.”

“When the U.S. Constitution was written, there was no such thing as a career politician. The thought of anyone spending 30, 40, or 50 years in office was outrageous. Most Americans agree that it is outrageous even now.” claims Rep. Camp.  She added, “The current system of incumbents using their political influence to hold power from election to death has resulted in an out-of-touch institution that seeks self-preservation above all else.”

A poll taken by McLaughlin and Associates shows that 82% of likely voters in Georgia support term limits on Congress, including strong support across party lines. 83% of Republicans, 74% of Democrats, and 82% of independents in the poll support the reform. Only 9% said they do not support term limits.

Both HR39 and SJR28 have been assigned to committees for a vote before they make their way to the floors of the Georgia House and Senate.

If passed, Georgia will join other states in the call to convene for the exclusive purpose of proposing term limits on the U.S. Congress. Once 34 state legislatures pass similar resolutions on the topic and approve the term limits amendment, it must be ratified by 38 states to become part of the U.S. Constitution.