New Hampshire state representatives Lorie Ball and Dennis Mannion from Rockingham 25 have pledged their support for congressional term limits. The pledge, organized by U.S. Term Limits (USTL), commits lawmakers to back a resolution calling for an Article V convention with the sole purpose of proposing term limits on Congress.
The text of the pledge states: “I pledge that, as a member of the state legislature, I will cosponsor, vote for, and defend the resolution applying for an Article V convention for the sole purpose of enacting term limits on Congress.”
U.S. Term Limits is seeking support from legislators across the country to reach 34 states willing to apply for such a convention. According to Nick Tomboulides, Chief Executive Officer of USTL, using an Article V Proposal Convention is considered the most viable way to establish congressional term limits after the Supreme Court’s 1995 decision in Thornton v. U.S. Term Limits ruled that only a constitutional amendment could set such restrictions.
Tomboulides explained: “The Constitution allows for amendments to be proposed by either 2/3 of Congress or 2/3 of the states. While we’d like for Congress to take the high road and propose term limits on itself, we know they are too self-interested to do that without external pressure.” He added: “That is why it is important to get buy-in from state legislators. Once proposed, the amendment must be ratified by 38 states.”
He also stated: “More than 87% of Americans have rejected the career politician model and want to replace it with citizen leadership. The way to achieve that goal is through a congressional term limits amendment. Lorie and Dennis know this and are willing to work to make sure we reach our goal.”
Recent data from Pew Research shows broad bipartisan public backing for congressional term limits, with about 87% of adults in favor according to their analysis.
U.S. Term Limits describes itself as a nonpartisan nonprofit organization focused solely on advocating for legislative term limits at the federal level.
