Contact: Ken Quinn, U.S. Term Limits
Phone: 207-713-8700
kquinn@termlimits.com
Madison, WI — The Constitution and Ethics Committee of the Wisconsin state assembly just passed Assembly Joint Resolution 16 (AJR16) by a vote of 5-3. Rep. Timothy Ramthun (district 59) is sponsor of the measure. Under Article V of the Constitution of the United States, state legislatures may meet at a national convention to propose a congressional term limits amendment to the Constitution. The effort is being spearheaded by the nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit, U.S. Term Limits.
Ramthun stated, “Today we took a step forward in Wisconsin by exercising the opportunity our Founding Framers envisioned. Article 5 provides the states a voice in our nation.To have what the framers envisioned it’s time to ask the question, and to use this tool. I am pleased Wisconsin will be a part of several states to do the right thing. Gratitude to our Founding Framers, their vision of purpose, applying this purpose of their vision. It’s time for states to pass. I want to thank the members of our committee. I believe it will pass on the senate floor. You debate, vote on it, I believe it will pass.”
According to a 2020 poll by McLaughlin & Associates, 74% of likely voters in Wisconsin support term limits on Congress, including strong support across partly lines. 82% of Republicans, 69% of Democrats, and 74% of independents support the reform.
U.S. Term Limits’ President Philip Blumel commended Rep. Ramthun and the committee members who voted in favor of passing the resolution. Blumel said, “Rep. Ramthun sees what is going on in D.C. and is willing to take bold action to fix it. He knows that Congress won’t set term limits on itself, therefore, it is the obligation of the states to do so.”
SJR12, the sister resolution in the state senate sponsored by Sen. Duey Stroebel (District 20), recently passed in the Government Operations Committee. If passed in the state assembly and senate chambers, Wisconsin will join other states at a national convention to propose a term limits on Congress amendment. Thirty-four state legislatures are required to call the convention. The amendment must then be ratified by 38 states to become part of the U.S. Constitution.
