Washington has failed the American people. Career politicians in Congress continue to entrench themselves in power, prioritize partisan gamesmanship over progress and ignore the demands of the citizens they were elected to serve.

While the Founding Fathers envisioned a government of citizen legislators — people who would serve temporarily and then return to private life — Congress has largely become a closed club of lifetime incumbents.

That’s why the states are stepping up. In recent months, three states — Florida, Alabama and Missouri — have passed resolutions calling for an Article V Convention to propose a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of Congress. More are poised to follow. Pennsylvania has the opportunity to lead this national movement by passing House Concurrent Resolution 1111, introduced by state Rep. Jared Solomon of Philadelphia.

This is not a partisan issue. It’s a matter of national survival.

Across the country, polling shows overwhelming support for congressional term limits — nearly 80% of Americans, including majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents. Voters understand what Congress refuses to admit: that power concentrated in the hands of a permanent political class is toxic to our democracy.

IT’S UP TO THE STATES

Let’s be clear: Congress will never vote to limit its own power. Despite repeated promises and proposed legislation, congressional self-reform has proven to be a fantasy. The political incentives for incumbents are too great. They enjoy near-total name recognition, generous campaign war chests, and a system rigged in their favor.

That’s precisely why the Founders included Article V in the Constitution — a provision that empowers states to bypass Washington and propose amendments through a convention of states. It is a constitutional safety valve, meant to correct the very kind of dysfunction and self-dealing we see in Congress today.

By passing HCR 1111, Pennsylvania would join a growing coalition of states demanding a Term Limits Convention. This resolution does not change the Constitution on its own; it merely calls for a meeting where states can debate and propose a term limits amendment. Any amendment would still require ratification by three-fourths of the states—38 in total—ensuring broad, bipartisan consensus.

WHY TERM LIMITS MATTER

Opponents of term limits argue that we already have them — through elections. But anyone paying attention knows the truth: congressional incumbents are re-elected over 90% of the time, often without serious opposition. Name recognition, party loyalty, and gerrymandered districts insulate many members from accountability. Term limits are not about punishing experience — they’re about restoring rotation in office and breaking the culture of complacency in Washington.

Term limits would bring in new voices, fresh ideas, and a renewed sense of public service. They would help reduce the influence of lobbyists and special interests, who rely on long-standing

relationships with entrenched legislators. And they would reintroduce the concept of servant leadership to federal government—where lawmakers serve the people, not themselves.

PENNSYLVANIA’S PIVOTAL ROLE

Pennsylvania has always been at the heart of America’s democratic experiment. It was here in Philadelphia that the Constitution was debated and signed. Now, the state has a chance to once again stand on the side of reform and civic renewal.

Representative Jared Solomon’s introduction of HCR 1111 is an important step forward. Term limits are not about left or right — they are about restoring balance and trust in our institutions.

Passing HCR 1111 would send a powerful message that Pennsylvania is ready to lead where Congress has failed. It would show that our state lawmakers are listening to their constituents and willing to take real action to fix a broken system.

We are closer than ever to forcing Congress to accept term limits. If just a few more states pass similar resolutions, we will reach the threshold necessary to call a Term Limits Convention. That’s why it’s critical that Pennsylvania act now — not next year, not after the next election, but this legislative session.

Some in Harrisburg may hesitate, worried about the unknowns of a convention or the politics of constitutional amendments. But let’s remember: our system was built to be amended. The Founders expected it. And they gave the states the tools to do so when the federal government proved incapable of fixing itself.

Let’s not wait for Washington to change. It won’t. But the states — starting with Pennsylvania — can make it happen.

The American people are demanding accountability, fairness and a return to representative government. Passing HCR 1111 would prove that Pennsylvania is listening.

(Andy Dinniman and John Eichelberger are Pennsylvania state co-chairs for U.S. Term Limits and former state senators.)