State Sen. Lauren Kuby
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By Lauren Kuby | State Senator, Legislative District 8
I support term limits for members of Congress. Career politicians are out of touch with everyday Americans who face rising grocery costs, skyrocketing medical bills, and high gas prices. Term limits would help curb the outsized influence of special interests in our political system.
But I strongly oppose using an Article V Convention to achieve this goal. The U.S. Constitution provides two amendment paths: the first – used 27 times – requires two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states to approve an amendment. This transparent process has advanced civil rights, like the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.
The second path, an Article V Convention, is untested and dangerously vague. If 34 states call for it, a convention could be convened – but with no constitutional rules on how delegates are selected, what issues can be addressed, or how the process is governed. While it might begin with term limits, it could quickly spiral into a free-for-all. Fundamental rights – freedom of speech, voting rights, reproductive rights, labor protections, even limits on presidential terms – could all be on the table.
Powerful special interests, including groups like ALEC and the Koch donor network, are behind this push. They seek to exploit the uncertainty of a convention to reshape the Constitution to their advantage.
That’s why I oppose HCR 2041, a bill before the Arizona Legislature that would add our state to the list calling for a convention. The risks are too great.
I remain committed to real reforms, including term limits. But protecting the integrity of our Constitution must come first.
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