A resolution that would pave the way for Georgia to join states calling for a Constitutional convention for proposing a congressional term limits amendment cleared the state Senate Thursday. After much debate, Senators passed SR 23, by Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, by a 34-18 vote.
The effort is being spearheaded by the nonpartisan nonprofit U.S. Term Limits.
“I am so pleased the Georgia Senate just passed the resolution calling for term limits on Congress,” said John Cowan, State Chair for U.S. Term Limits. “This is a major step forward for our state to join the many states calling for a term limits convention so we can restore our founding fathers’ vision of a citizens legislature.”
Proponents of the legislation pointed to a recent poll that showed 79 percent of likely voters in Georgia support term limits on Congress, including strong support among Republicans, Democrats and Independents.
U.S. Term Limits President Philip Blumel commended the Georgia state senators who voted in favor of the resolution. “The people of Georgia are lucky to have public servants who see what is going on in D.C. and are willing to take action to fix it. They know that Congress won’t set term limits on itself. Therefore, it is the obligation of the states to do so.”
SR 23 has the support of more than 80 legislators who have signed the term limits pledge, promising to support the congressional term limits effort. The legislation now goes to the House for consideration. If approved by both Chambers, Georgia would join other states in the call to convene the states 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.
