House Joint Resolution Calls for Constitutional Convention: HJR1004

News and Analysis on the 2025 Legislative Session

NEWS. December 13, 2024, in Little Rock.

The 2025 legislative session kicks off next month. However, bills and resolutions are already being filed. Yesterday, a resolution was filed by Representative Ladyman calling for the U.S. Congress to call for an Article 5 Convention.

An Article 5 Convention is so named for Article 5 of the Constitution. The relevant part is that two-thirds of the legislatures of the “several states” can request a convention and force it to be called into order.

Ladyman wants a constitutional convention to propose an amendment to the Constitution instituting term limits for members of Congress. In the resolution, he says that Arkansas, and many other states, have enacted laws to force federal congressional delegates into term limits. However, SCOTUS has ruled that only an amendment to the Constitution can effectuate any term limit.

Ladyman wants the convention to establish the term limits in the federal governing document.

ANALYSIS. If two-thirds of the states call for this convention, it will be called. Don’t expect the federal delegation to call it willingly. After all, why would they take action to end their own self-interest.

Think of it, Nancy Pelosi would starve without all that legal insider trading.

I think term limits would probably be a good thing. I consider term limits to be a swamp-draining mechanism. We need turnover and we desperately need to change the power dynamic in DC that currently exists by preferential treatment given to long tenured Representatives and Senators.

Good job, good resolution.

See the resolution here.

Clinton W. Lancaster

Attorney. America First. Sued Hunter Biden for child support. Represented President Trump in the 2020 Wisconsin election challenge. Former attorney for the Wisconsin Special Counsel. An official “Tough Cookie” per President Trump.