Pennsylvania State Rep. Perry Stambaugh Honored for Term Limits Support

Harrisburg, PA — Pennsylvania’s state representative Perry Stambaugh (district 86) was honored with a plaque for supporting term limits on Congress. U.S. Term Limits (USTL), the nation’s oldest and largest pro-term limits group, presented the distinction to Stambaugh at the Pennsylvania capitol earlier this week.

Mike Riley of USTL gave Stambaugh the “Champion of Term Limits” wood plaque which reads, “In recognition of a steadfast commitment to restore citizen government through term limits.” Stambaugh has pledged to support house resolution 57 (HR57). The convention bill does not set the specific length of term limits, rather, it opens a discussion among the states on what the ideal term limits of Congressmembers should be.

Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, the states have more power to amend the Constitution than the Congress does. Congress proposing term limits on itself presents a conflict of interest. Recognizing this, the founders assured the states could both propose and ratify amendments without the approval of Congress. HR57 leverages this constitutionally granted authority so the states may act in the best interest of the people.

Sponsored by Pennsylvania house representative Ryan Mackenzie, the HR57’s summary reads, “Petitioning the Congress of the United States to call a convention of states limited to a congressional term limit amendment to the Constitution of the United States.”

While this is technically termed “application,” For Article V resolutions passed by the states, the role of the federal government is purely ministerial, as the federal legislative branch has no authority to veto applications.

HCR57 must be approved by both chambers of the state legislature in order for Pennsylvania to be counted among the states calling for a term limits convention.