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HJR 118

Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing an amendment to the constitution to limit the terms of office of members of Congress.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Ben Bumgarner and 23 co-sponsors

Texas seeks a constitutional convention to propose congressional term limits via Article V, joining a multi-state effort to bypass Congress and amend the Constitution directly.

Referred to State Affairs
#congress(i0085) #legislature(i0520) #resolutions--constitutionalamendments(i0661) #resolutions--memorializingcongress(i0675) #resolutions--unitedstatesconstitution(i0670) #termlimits(s0105)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJR 118

Legislative bill overview

HJR 118 is a Texas resolution applying to Congress to convene an Article V constitutional convention for the limited purpose of proposing a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on U.S. senators and representatives. This is one piece of a multi-state movement to trigger a convention, which requires applications from two-thirds of state legislatures (34 states) to compel Congress to call one.

Why is this important

Term limits for Congress is a long-debated reform with significant constitutional implications. If enough states apply for an Article V convention, it would represent an extraordinary use of a mechanism in the Constitution that has never been employed in American history. The outcome could reshape how Congress operates, though it would also trigger complex questions about convention procedures, scope limits, and potential unintended consequences.

Potential points of contention

  • Runaway convention risk: Critics worry that once convened, a constitutional convention cannot be limited and could propose amendments beyond term limits, including changes to First Amendment protections, voting rights, or presidential powers.
  • Democratic legitimacy concerns: Term limits removes voter choice to re-elect representatives; supporters argue it reduces incumbency advantages while opponents contend it weakens constituent relationships and legislative expertise.
  • Coordination challenges: The convention mechanism requires precise coordination across states on application language and enforcement; disagreements could create legal ambiguity about whether the threshold has truly been met.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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