South Carolina Leads Charge for Congressional Term Limits

South Carolina is at the forefront of a nationwide movement to impose term limits on members of the U.S. Congress. The state’s legislature recently took a significant step by passing House Concurrent Resolution (HCR3008), formally applying for an “Article V Convention” specifically for the purpose of proposing a congressional term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The initiative, strongly supported by organizations like U.S. Term Limits, reflects a growing sentiment that career politicians do not serve the best interests of the public. Proponents in South Carolina and across the nation believe that term limits would foster a more responsive, citizen-led legislature. The proposed amendment would limit U.S. House members to three two-year terms and U.S. Senators to two six-year terms.

HCR3008, led by figures such as Representative Cal Forrest and Senator Rex Rice, passed both the South Carolina House and Senate with bipartisan support, officially enrolling the resolution. This action makes South Carolina one of 12 states that have passed single-subject applications for congressional term limits, joining states like Florida, Alabama, Missouri, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Indiana.

The path to a constitutional amendment via an Article V Convention is outlined in the U.S. Constitution, allowing states to bypass Congress directly. For a convention to be called, 34 state legislatures must pass similar resolutions. If a convention is called and proposes an amendment, it then needs to be ratified by 38 states to become part of the Constitution. While this method has never been used to propose amendments, advocates believe the increasing number of states acting on this issue is building significant pressure on Congress to address the demand for term limits.