HCR2043 applies to Congress to "call a convention" under Article V of the U.S. Constitution for the purpose of proposing an amendment to set term limits on members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.
The Senate passed HCR2043 on April 21, 2026, by a vote of 16 to 13. We have assigned pluses to the nays because term limits conflict with the right of the American people to choose their representatives. Moreover, efforts to call an Article V convention must be resisted. A constitutional convention (Con-Con) would have the ability to make major changes to the U.S. Constitution, or even completely rewrite it. Instead of risking the danger of a "runaway convention," which could act as a "Trojan horse" to destroy many of the Constitution's limitations on government power, state legislators should uphold their oath of office. In other words, the problem is not the Constitution, but lawmakers' failure to follow it. Article VI requires that all state legislators "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution." Article V, however, was designed to correct potential errors or defects in the Constitution, not to "misconstrue or abuse its powers." State legislators should use Article VI to enforce the Constitution, rather than use Article V to alter or abolish it.
United States Constitution
Article V
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
United States Constitution
Article VI
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
United States Constitution
10th Amendment
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
