Representative Taylor Rae Rehfeldt (District 14) and Senator Casey Crabtree (District 8) have introduced House Joint Resolution 5002 (HJR5002) for term limits on Congress. If passed, South Dakota will join the states calling for a convention to propose a congressional term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The effort is being spearheaded by the nonpartisan, nonprofit, U.S. Term Limits (USTL).
According to the latest RMG Research poll, 88% of likely voters in South Dakota support term limits on Congress, including strong support among Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike.
HJR5002 has a groundswell of support in the South Dakota legislature. Eleven state house representatives and six state senators have committed their support to cosponsor Rep. Rehfeldt’s resolution: Representatives Aylward, Bathke, Fitzgerald, Jamison, Jordan, Mulder, Peterson, Randolph, Roe, Vasgaard, Walburg and Senators Grove, Jensen, Otten, Reed, Rohl and Wheeler.
“It’s time for Congress to be accountable to the people they represent, ” said Philip Blumel, USTL President. “Term limits will help restore trust in our government and ensure that power is returned to the hands of the citizens.”
HJR5002 will be assigned to a committee for a vote before it makes its way to the chamber floors. Once HJR5002 passes the legislature, South Dakota will join other states in the call to for a national convention for the exclusive purpose of proposing term limits on the U.S. Congress. Other state legislatures must pass similar resolutions, approve the language, and ratify the proposal in order for it to become part of the U.S. Constitution.
View full HJR5002 text of proposal here.
